You gotta protect your eyes!

By ACSH Staff — Jun 10, 2011
While we should all be spreading on the sun block to protect our skin against harmful ultraviolet (UV) light this summer, it’s easy to forget about this equally vulnerable organ when you’re out in the sun: your eyes! According to a 2009 survey conducted by the American Optometric Association, one in three adults is unaware of the fact that too much time in the sun without proper protection is harmful to the eyes. In fact, about 20 percent of cataracts cases are caused by extended UV exposure.

While we should all be spreading on the sun block to protect our skin against harmful ultraviolet (UV) light this summer, it’s easy to forget about this equally vulnerable organ when you’re out in the sun: your eyes! According to a 2009 survey conducted by the American Optometric Association, one in three adults is unaware of the fact that too much time in the sun without proper protection is harmful to the eyes. In fact, about 20 percent of cataracts cases are caused by extended UV exposure. So make sure to protect those peepers by wearing sunglasses that block at least 98 percent of UV A and UV B rays. You can also don a wide-brimmed hat for added protection.