 |
|
THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARISING FROM SOLAR
DAMAGE.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON OZONE
The depletion of the ozone seems certain to have a significant impact
particularly during summer.
Less ozone in the atmosphere means more ultraviolet light reaches the earth.
Scientists agree that the depletion of the ozone will result in more people
suffering eye damage at an earlier age from exposure to high levels of UV
light, and an increased risk of developing cataracts that may lead to
blindness. To protect your eyes good quality lenses are essential. As well as
traditional sunglasses, some eye experts suggest wrap-around glasses which
guard against reflected light that hits the eye sideways, eg Dirty Dog. As the
diagram indicates this would assist greatly in situations such as fishing or skiing.
With quality standard fitting sunglasses it is unlikely peripheral UV would do
damage within the human lifespan.
Other precautions are simply common sense- wear a hat when out in the sun for
any length of time and avoid exposure in the two hours either side of midday.
EYE RISKS FROM SOLAR ENERGY AND PHYSICAL OBJECTS
| LONG TERM |
SHORT TERM |
1. Cataracts
-
Believed to be caused by exposure to UV light over time
-
Serious eye disease clouding the lens of the eye
-
Can cause partial or total blindness. Thousands of people undergo surgery per
year
-
Many millions of people world-wide suffer from Cataract problems
2. Pterygium
-
Can be caused by over exposure to UV light and wind
-
Thickened film growing over the cornea that obscures vision
3. Cancer of the eye and the orbit
-
Grows on the surface of the eye and can eventually lead to blindness
4. Penetration of objects
-
Caused by accidents
-
Not wearing correct eyewear
5. Macular Degeneration
-
Believed linked with exposure to blue light causing blindness in elderly people
6. Wrinkled skin
-
From squinting and exposure to infrared (heat) rays
|
1. Headaches
2. Corneal Dryness
3. Muscle fatigue
4. "Sunburn" of the eye
-
Can cause a swelling of the Conjunctiva
-
Can cause conjunctivitis or lesions of the retina
5. Chromatic Aberration
-
Unprotected eye strains to focus blue light, all other colours can be distorted
6. Trouble in adaption
-
The eye can have trouble adjusting to night vision
7. "Snow Blindness"
-
Cornea absorbs UV causing reddening. Not wearing
correct eyewear results in a sensation of ‘sand’ in the eyes.
-
This can be very painful
8. Hot tired eyes
-
From infrared (heat) exposure
|
|
|
THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARISING FROM SOLAR
DAMAGE.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON OZONE
The depletion of the ozone seems certain to have a significant impact
particularly during summer.
Less ozone in the atmosphere means more ultraviolet light reaches the earth.
Scientists agree that the depletion of the ozone will result in more people
suffering eye damage at an earlier age from exposure to high levels of UV
light, and an increased risk of developing cataracts that may lead to
blindness. To protect your eyes good quality lenses are essential. As well as
traditional sunglasses, some eye experts suggest wrap-around glasses which
guard against reflected light that hits the eye sideways, eg Dirty Dog. As the
diagram indicates this would assist greatly in situations such as fishing or skiing.
With quality standard fitting sunglasses it is unlikely peripheral UV would do
damage within the human lifespan.
Other precautions are simply common sense- wear a hat when out in the sun for
any length of time and avoid exposure in the two hours either side of midday.
EYE RISKS FROM SOLAR ENERGY AND PHYSICAL OBJECTS
| LONG TERM |
SHORT TERM |
1. Cataracts
-
Believed to be caused by exposure to UV light over time
-
Serious eye disease clouding the lens of the eye
-
Can cause partial or total blindness. Thousands of people undergo surgery per
year
-
Many millions of people world-wide suffer from Cataract problems
2. Pterygium
-
Can be caused by over exposure to UV light and wind
-
Thickened film growing over the cornea that obscures vision
3. Cancer of the eye and the orbit
-
Grows on the surface of the eye and can eventually lead to blindness
4. Penetration of objects
-
Caused by accidents
-
Not wearing correct eyewear
5. Macular Degeneration
-
Believed linked with exposure to blue light causing blindness in elderly people
6. Wrinkled skin
-
From squinting and exposure to infrared (heat) rays
|
1. Headaches
2. Corneal Dryness
3. Muscle fatigue
4. "Sunburn" of the eye
-
Can cause a swelling of the Conjunctiva
-
Can cause conjunctivitis or lesions of the retina
5. Chromatic Aberration
-
Unprotected eye strains to focus blue light, all other colours can be distorted
6. Trouble in adaption
-
The eye can have trouble adjusting to night vision
7. "Snow Blindness"
-
Cornea absorbs UV causing reddening. Not wearing
correct eyewear results in a sensation of ‘sand’ in the eyes.
-
This can be very painful
8. Hot tired eyes
-
From infrared (heat) exposure
|
|
|
