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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.