Not just for fashion

Babies inarguably look adorable in a pair of shades, though they seldom will keep them on before using them as a chew toy, but Dr. Justin Ward at Longview Eye Associates said young children are precisely the ones most in need of eye protection from the sun's harmful UV rays.

Ward said research shows that the most damage to the eyes usually occurs before age 18.

"There's a lot of ways that UV affects the eyes, but it is linked to cataract formation," he said. "UV exposure before 18 years of age makes it more accelerated."

Ward said he encourages his patients to use UV protection for their eyes for not only themselves but also for their children.

"We talk to patients, especially little kids under 5 years, that earlier use of protection has more of a benefit later on in life," he said.

Ward said while most people will develop cataracts later in life — usually after age 60 — early protection can delay the onset of cataracts or other conditions, such as macular degeneration. While cataract surgery has become fairly common, Ward said, macular degeneration could lead to vision loss.

Though UV rays are found to be at their highest during the summer months, Ward recommends protection be worn year-round.

"There is more direct light during the summer months, and people do tend to be outside more, but you could potentially get the same amount of exposure during a clear winter day as during the summer," he said. "I've seen a patient with a sunburn on the surface of their eyes from skiing in the winter. You have to protect yourself anytime of the year."

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Ozone alert days are the worst for UV exposure, he said. The alerts tend to happen more during the summer months than any other time of year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sunburns on the eye are not just a myth either, Ward said.

"It's quite painful," he said. "We usually prescribe steroid drops and lubricants to keep them comfortable, but it really just has to heal on its own."

Ward said he recommends all of his patients purchase sunglasses based on their protection level, versus their style factor.

"Anything is better than nothing, but ideally you want the sunglasses that say they block 110 percent UVA and UVB light," Ward said. "If it doesn't say it on there, it doesn't do it. They would advertise it. You can also have just about any pair polarized, which reduces the glare or reflected light from surfaces like the roadway or water."

Contact lenses can be UV protectant, as well, he said.

"It's a coating that can be added to just about any pair of glasses or contacts; the glasses don't have to be tinted," Ward said. "Most people wearing prescription glasses are getting protection."

He said not all protection is created equal.

Ward and Longview Mall Sunglass Hut Sales Associate Falyn Jones recommend Maui Jim sunglasses for optimal protection.

"We do a fair amount of Maui Jims here," Ward said.

Jones agreed that it tends to be her store's biggest seller, as well, and summertime is the busiest time of year.

"I had Lasik surgery in January, and I recommend everyone — especially people who have had any kind of eye surgery — to go with the Maui Jims," Jones said. "They all come polarized, and they're the only ones in the store that are all anti-reflective on the inside of the lens."

Jones said while summer brings the largest crowds of sunglass buyers, they aren't all looking for the best UV coverage on the market.

"The younger people are going more for fashion, and the older people are going more for protection," Jones said.

Ward also encourages patients to look to supplements for retinal health.

"There are some supplements that are good for general eye health," he said. "They don't really offer any UV protection, but lutein or even a multivitamin with lutein is good for retinal health."

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