Experts warn of sun damage to eyes as first days of summer and heat wave set in
As Vancouver approaches the first day of summer and a short heat wave sets in, experts are warning about the dangers of UV rays on eyes.
Dr. Briar Sexton, a Vancouver-based ophthalmologist, says that those headed outdoors, no matter how young, need to be wearing sunglasses and a hat.
“I see parents that are religiously wearing their sunglasses - but their kids don’t have them on,” said Sexton, of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
“So they’re getting years and years and years of sun exposure before they start to wear sunglasses.”
Not wearing adequate eye protection can accelerate clouding of the lens of your eyes, Sexton said, something that’s called a cataract.
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss, according to the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and they affect more than 2.5 million Canadians. Treatment can include injections or surgery, but if left untreated, cataracts may cause blindness.
While most of the hundreds of thousands of people who require surgery each year across the country are typically in their 60s and 70s, the issue is starting to affect younger people more often.
“We’re seeing it younger and younger, and we think sun exposure is definitely playing a role in that.”
Sexton also recommended wearing a hat to give your eyes an “extra layer” of protection, especially if you’re in an area with little shade cover like a patio or golf course.
She also says that people shouldn’t rely on transition lenses, as they aren’t meant for extended outdoor use, but for quick trips down the driveway or to and from your car.
Proper-fitting sunglasses should wrap around to the sides of your head, and sit flat along your brow line, so there aren’t big gaps allowing UV light to come in from the top or the side. Experts also recommend replacing your sunglasses every few years because the lenses degrade over time.
“Find a pair that you like, they don’t have to be expensive,” Sexton said.
And, she said, you should make a habit of wearing them even on overcast days.
“If I can see through them well enough to walk, I’ve got them on my face,” Sexton added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc leader says ultimatum stands after Liberals vote against motion seeking boost to seniors' benefits
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says his ultimatum to the government stands, after the Liberals voted against a motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits on Wednesday.
DEVELOPING Israel battles militants on two fronts and reports 8 combat deaths as fears of a wider war mount
Israel's ground incursion into Lebanon to battle Hezbollah militants left eight Israeli soldiers dead Wednesday, while the region braced for further escalation as Israel vowed to retaliate for Iran's ballistic missile attack a day earlier.
Trump 'resorted to crimes' after losing 2020 U.S. election, prosecutors say
Donald Trump 'resorted to crimes' after losing the 2020 election, federal prosecutors said in a court filing unsealed Wednesday.
Canada's October temperatures set to teeter-totter due to record-breaking U.S. heat
Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
Canadian figure skater suspended at least 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for 'sexual maltreatment,' the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.
U.S. airline safety board raises alarm over foreign carriers that may have Boeing 737 rudder issue
At least forty foreign air carriers could be flying Boeing 737 jets with a rudder control system that has the potential to jam, according to the Chair of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Driver spotted going 234 km/h on Hwy. 174 in Ottawa's east end
A 27-year-old man is facing several charges after police observed a vehicle travelling 134 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 174 in Ottawa's east end.
Dozens of suspected White supremacist gang members arrested in L.A. area in domestic terrorism investigation
A total of 68 suspected gang members, with ties to White supremacy, were charged in the Los Angeles area Wednesday in a large-scale takedown, federal prosecutors said.