Did you know? Hot summer sun, risk of cataracts

Did you know? Hot summer sun, risk of cataracts

      It is well known that excessive exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can lead to sunburn and skin cancer. However, did you know that UV radiation is also harmful to the eyes? Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun can contribute to various eye conditions such as cataracts, pterygium, degeneration of the optic nerve, and conjunctivitis.

What is cataract?

      Cataract is a condition characterized by clouding of the "lens of the eye". Normally, the lens of the eye is clear and functions to focus light onto the retina evenly. When cataracts occur, light cannot enter the eye properly, leading to blurry vision or haziness. This is commonly found in the elderly. 

• Slow, gradual blurring of vision without inflammation or pain. Vision may appear hazy, as if there's fog or mist, depending on the level and position of opacity in the lens.
• Double vision, seeing halos, caused by unequal cloudiness in the lenses, resulting in light not being focused into a single point on the retina. Some patients may experience increasing nearsightedness over time, necessitating frequent changes in glasses. In some cases, nearsightedness may increase to the point of being able to read without glasses.
• Difficulty in bright light, seeing glare, especially when driving at night.
• Seeing colors differently than before, requiring more light to see.
• When cataracts mature, one may notice seeing a white color in the pupil area, which is normally black. Neglecting cataracts until they mature excessively may lead to complications such as glaucoma, intraocular inflammation, causing symptoms such as eye pain, redness, and potential vision loss.

• Wear sunglasses that can block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation.
• Wear a hat or use an umbrella to reduce direct UV exposure.
• Use artificial tears to moisturize the eyes.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially during the hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM when sunlight is most intense.
• Consult an ophthalmologist if you experience any abnormal eye symptoms.

      Symptoms such as "redness, irritation, sensitivity, and blurred vision" indicate excessive light exposure. In addition to protecting your eyes from sunlight using the above methods, it's important to take care of and nourish your eyes by consuming foods beneficial for eye health, focusing on those rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

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