How You Should Be Protecting Yourself from the Sun

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on September 27, 2016

Do you like to spend a lot of time outdoors? Spending time in the sun, camping, hiking—these are all things that are great outdoors activities, but it is important to make sure you are taking the right steps to protecting yourself from the sun’s rays. Most people know to protect their skin from the sun, but the dangers the suns ultraviolent (UV) rays pose to your eyes are much less common knowledge.

In light of this, we wanted to take the time to share some information with you regarding UV eye safety and how you can better protect your vision when spending a lot of time outdoors. Here are five things people can do to cut their risk of eye damage from the sun:

1.     Choose the right pair of sunglasses – Not all sunglasses provide the same coverage and contrary to popular belief, the darkness of the lens does not determine if the lens blocks UV rays. Only sunglasses labeled as having “100% UV Protection” or “UV400” will protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Even if the weather is overcast you should still wear sunglasses as the suns UV rays still pass through cloud cover and can damage your eyes.

2.     Don’t look directly at the sun – I think this should probably go without saying but “DON’T STARE AT THE SUN!” Yes, this can be very damaging for your eyes and can even lead to irreversible damage in certain rare cases. Staring directly at the sun can cause holes to burn in your retina—this condition Is called “solar retinopathy.”

3.     Read the labels on your medication – According to a recent survey, one in three adults use medications that can potentially make your eyes more susceptible to UV damage. Some of the common medications that can cause these problems include: Birth control, psoriasis treatments, antibiotics and estrogen pills. If your medication increases your eyes susceptibility to UV damage, then it will be labeled as “causing photosensitivity.” If you see this one the label, make sure to protect your eyes and skin from too much sun exposure.

4.     Wear more hats – Sunglasses are a necessary investment for your fun in the sun, but you shouldn’t underestimate the effectiveness of a hat in regards to blocking sunlight. A combination of both is the best way to ensure your eyes are getting the protection they need from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

5.     Drive with UV protection – Studies have shown that car side windows on average only block 71 percent of UV rays, in contrast to the front windshield which blocks 96 percent on average. According to studies, only approximately 14 percent of car side windows provide high enough levels of UV protections to guard your eyes and skin from the sun.


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Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more