Allergies can cause or contribute to a wide range of symptoms, including those that affect your eyes — such as dry eyes and itchy eyes. Learn about how to reduce allergy symptoms without injections.
Arizona has wonderful weather, including plenty of sparkling sunshine. But all of that sunlight presents a risk to your eyes, because ultraviolet (UV) light in the sun's rays can increase your chances of developing certain eye conditions. Fortunately, you can take some simple steps every day to help protect your eyes from the sun.
As part of our commitment to your eye health, the eye care specialists at Advanced Laser & Eye Center of Arizona, home of MyEyesToday.com, are using this month’s blog post to share some important tips about how you can safeguard your eyes from the dazzling Arizona sun.
The UV radiation in sunlight can affect your eyes in several ways. For example, it can damage your eyes' corneas and lenses, and this damage can eventually lead to serious eye conditions, including:
Taking your eye health seriously means taking steps to protect them both to avoid problems and to prevent issues you’re already experiencing from getting worse.
Sunglasses help shield your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays. However, you only receive that benefit if you choose the right kind of sunglasses — not all shades provide complete UV protection.
For optimal safety, wear sunglasses from a reputable manufacturer, and make sure they block 100% of both UVA and UVB light. Be sure to wear them whenever you go outdoors, even in the cooler months, on cloudy days, and when doing winter sports. Sunglasses don't protect you if they're in your purse, pocket, or car glove box. Replace them if they become scratched.
Keep in mind that the larger the lens, the better the protection, so consider large-lens or wraparound sunglasses for optimal coverage. Talk with your eye care provider if you need advice on choosing sunglasses.
A hat with a broad brim adds shading for an extra layer of protection for your eyes. It's also a good way to protect your skin from UV-related skin cancer.
Regular eye exams can identify sun-related eye damage or other problems early, when they're easiest to treat. We recommend eye exams every two years if you're under 50, once a year if you're over 50 or wear glasses, or more frequently than that if your provider advises it.
Contact us today to schedule an eye exam or to arrange an evaluation for any type of eye concern. We invite you to call the office nearest you or to schedule an appointment online. Our offices are conveniently located in Gilbert, Chandler, and Queen Creek, Arizona, and we also offer services through our mobile eye clinic.
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