Effects of UV radiation may increase chance of developing eye problems later in life

Apr 21 2010

While 85 percent of Americans recognize that ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage their eyes, only 65 percent wear sunglasses as protection, and even fewer (39 percent) make sure their children wear sunglasses.  By comparison, 78 percent make sure their children wear sunscreen when outdoors.

"These gaps in vision care attitudes and behavior are of great concern, particularly when it comes to children," says Christine W. Sindt, OD, FAAO, Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, University of Iowa.  Compared to their parents, children have larger pupils (allowing more light into their eyes), clearer lenses, and are outside without eye protection much more frequently and for longer periods than most adults.   It is estimated that 80 percent of lifetime exposure to UV occurs by age 18 and that children's annual dose of UV radiation is three times that of adults.

"Short-term damage to the eyes is hard to notice, but over the long-term the sun can cause irreversible harm to all structures of the eye and surrounding tissue that are left unprotected or under-protected," explains Dr. Sindt. "These conditions may not manifest for years at which point the damage is already done and it is too late to reverse the effects of the sun. That's why it is important to get maximum protection beginning in childhood."

Protecting Your Eyes

Experts say it is difficult to isolate the exact amount of damage that UV imposes on the eye over a long period of time. However, a number of studies have shown that the effects of UV radiation are cumulative and may increase the chance of developing eye problems later in life, including cataracts, a leading cause of reduced vision in the United States.

While most sunglasses can help block UV rays from entering through the lenses, most frame styles do not prevent rays from reaching the sides, top, and bottom of the glasses.  Hats with brims offer no protection from UV rays reflected up from surfaces such as pavement, sand, and water, so UV blocking contact lenses can provide an important measure of additional protection.

"For those who need vision correction, a significant measure of UV protection can be achieved with a combination of UV-absorbing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking contact lenses," adds Dr. Stephen Cohen, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based optometrist and past president of the Arizona Optometric Association.  

"However, not all contact lenses offer UV protection, and of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels," explains Dr. Cohen. Among contact lens brands, 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact lenses offers up to 82% UV-A and 97% UV-B protection, the highest levels available in a one-day contact lens. On average, contact lenses without UV-blocking capability allow 90% of UV-A radiation and 70% of UV-B radiation to pass through the lenses to your eyes.

For those who favor reusable lenses, only ACUVUE® ADVANCE® Brand Contact Lenses and ACUVUE® OASYS® Brand Contact lenses carry the Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses from both the American Optometric Association and World Council of Optometry's Commissions on Ophthalmic Standards.  These lenses are the only ones to offer the highest level of UV blocking available, blocking more than 90 percent of UV-A rays and 99 percent of UV-B rays that reach the lens. For more information, visit the American Optometric Association's website  at http://www.aoa.org/UV-Protection.xml.

Although UV-blocking contact lenses provide important added protection for wearers, they should not be viewed as a stand-alone solution. "Contact lenses should always be worn in conjunction with high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat," says Dr. Cohen.

Can children wear contacts?

According to the Contact Lens In Pediatrics (CLIP) study, the first clinical investigation to compare children under 12 years of age and teens using silicone hydrogel contact lenses, researchers report that children as young as eight years old who need refractive error correction are as capable as teenagers at wearing and caring for soft contact lenses.

"Contact lenses often provide a more convenient mode of correction for young wearers," says Dr. Sindt. "Contacts that provide protection from UV-radiation offer a value-added benefit."  

Doctors will typically evaluate a child's maturity and level of parental support in deciding whether a child is ready for contact lenses.

ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your eye doctor immediately.