Importance of Eye Protection from the Sun

Dr. Sarah Sliwinski is an Optometrist and the owner of Midwest Eye Clinic. Her husband, Dr. Dan Sliwinski, also works part-time at their clinic. They live in Burlington with their 2 young boys. Dr. Sarah was diagnosed with melanoma when she was only 20 years old. She is very passionate about the detection and prevention of skin cancer, especially as it relates to the eyes.

How does the sun harm your eyes? 

 Everybody's eyes will be impacted by the sun in their lifetime. Its just part of life on this planet! However, some of us are at more risk for sun related eye conditions than others. Some risk factors include: fair skin, blue or green eyes, and being over 60 years old. Many of the most common eye diseases are related to the sun, like macular degeneration, cataracts, keratitis, and ocular melanoma. Regardless of age annual dilated eye exams can detect the earliest signs of these diseases. Early detection is key to tackling vision issues related to the sun.

Macular Degeneration: 

There are two types of UV rays. UV-A rays can damage the retina, more specifically the macula. Cells in this area are slowly damaged by UV light, as well as other environmental factors. The cells are unable to get rid of cell waste and it accumulates in the macula as drusen. Macular degeneration is an accumulation of drusen, as well as cellular loss. Macular degeneration can irreversibly impact the central vision.

Cataracts:

UV-B rays can damage the lens inside the eye. The lens focuses images on the retina. When young, the lens is clear like a lens would be in a pair of glasses. However, the lens is made of living cells and those cells slowly become damaged over time by UV light. The cells begin to turn yellow or white, instead of clear. This discoloration is called a cataract. If you imagine looking through a yellow tinted or foggy windshield, it would be what looking through a cataract would be like. Cataracts usually onset when people are in their 60's and gradually progress over 5-10 year until the vision becomes significantly decreased. When vision is reduced to 20/40 the cataracts can be surgically removed. Symptoms of cataracts are difficulty with night driving, increased glare, and decreased color contrast.

Photokeratitis, or corneal sunburn: 

UV-B rays can also cause inflammation of the cornea or clear protective dome on the front of our eyes. Like a sunburn to the skin, symptoms present several hours after exposure. Symptoms range from mild irritation to extreme pain, redness, watering. and blurred vision. These symptoms typically last 24-48 hours.

Ocular melanoma: 

Melanoma is the most severe type of skin cancer. But did you know that it can form in the eye? Melanoma develops in the cells in the body that produce melanin - the pigment that gives skin its color. Eyes have melanin-producing cells that can develop melanoma. These cells can become damaged by the sun, as well as many other factors. They eye is also a common place for melanoma elsewhere in the body to metastasize. The areas of the eye at greatest risk are not visible with the naked eye. Annual dilated eye exams and wide field retinal photos are the only ways many melanomas can be detected.

Eyelid Cancer: 

The eyelid skin is the thinnest skin in the body and is easily damaged by sun exposure. This is also why wrinkles around the eyes are so common. But did you know that up to 10% of all skin cancers occur on the eyelid.
How do you protect your eyes against the sun? The best way to protect eyes from the sun is to wear sunglasses that block both UV-A, and UV-B. Wearing a hat can provide extra protection, as well as wearing sunscreen on the face and eyelids. I try to limit my sun exposure between the hours of 10am-2pm when the highest levels of UV emission occur. I always wear sunglasses that not only block UV light but are polarized to protect my eyes from glare. To protect the skin around my eyes year-round I use a primer that is SPF 50. I even use it on days I do not wear make up. I also keep an easy apply SPF 45 setting powder in my purse to reapply sunscreen and keep my skin from looking oily in the hot sun. I also have yearly eye exams. Remember that regardless of age annual dilated eye exams will help detect early signs of eye disease. The earlier intervention and treatment occur the better you can maintain your vision throughout your life.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE PROTECTION

Eyelid skin cancers account for 5-10% of all skin cancers

At least 10% of cataract cases are attributable to UV exposure