Bright Ideas
Helping patients become aware of UV--and the need for sunblock for their eyes
By Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Most consumers know that if they are out in the sun for several hours, they should apply protective lotion to their skin. But what many don't know is that if they are out in the sun for even short periods of time, they need to wear eyewear that protects their eyes from that same ultraviolet radiation.

Though sometimes overlooked, it is up to eyecare professionals to inform patients about risks of UV for the eyes and ways to avoid UV exposure. Just as MDs, medical specialists, and pharmacists recommend care regimens, treatments, and products to their patients for preventative health, so, too, ECPs should recommend eyewear for good everyday vision and UV protection.

Here are the reasons why UV protection for eyes is important, and what you can do to make UV a priority in your practice.

ECPs should recommend eyewear with UV protection for good day-to-day vision and for ocular health PHOTOS COURTESY TRANSITIONS OPTICAL

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Studies show that the cumulative, long-term effects of UV on the eye include an increase in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. For example, 75 percent of UV rays pass through the crystalline lens in children under age 10, which increases their risk for AMD later in life. Also, an estimated 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18.

Early, cumulative UV exposure is a key point that Madeline L. Romeu, OD, discusses with parents and children during eye exams at her private practice in West New York, N.J. "Patients and parents hold a doctor's recommendation in high regard," she says, "so it's important that I present the health risks of UV, especially to young eyes."

Her practice promotes photochromic lenses to kids for UV protection. "Parents like that they can get one pair of eyewear that their child will leave on, as opposed to taking them on and off and moving from sunwear to regular wear," Romeu says. "Kids think the lenses changing from light to dark is cool, and the lenses get positive peer review. Most importantly, kids' eyes are protected from UV exposure."

According to a survey sponsored by Transitions Optical, parents rank vision problems as a top children's health concern. But, they are less likely to protect their children's eyes, mainly because they are unaware of the long-term effects of UV exposure.

While parents protect their kids' skin with sunscreen 80 percent of the time, and a hat 63 percent of the time, eyes are protected with UV lenses only 35 percent of the time, reports Transitions.

"We emphasize UV protection for children in our practice," says Paula Newsome, OD, president of Advantage Vision Center in Charlotte, N.C., and member of the Transitions Optical Education Faculty. "Regardless of the weather, the sun is still out there. UV is still present."

The Advantage Vision Center welcome form asks patients questions about glare and light sensitivity.

After the exam and discussion, Newsome prescribes eye protection by checking off photochromics and polycarbonate on the Rx form.

Next, she walks the patient to the dispensary and discusses her recommendations with the optician and patient. The optician reinforces the doctor's message during the lens demonstration, fitting, and dispensing process.

	Parents often forget about eye protection when sending kids outside PHOTOS COURTESY TRANSITIONS OPTICAL

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Many patients come in with an understanding about what UV can do to the skin, but not eyes or the skin around them. Too much UV exposure can cause eye pain and sensitivity, as well as photo-keratitis, a corneal sunburn, and the formation of pterygium and pinguecula of the conjunctiva. Ten percent of all skin cancers occur on the eyelids and squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma both occur in the ocular adnexa.

"Because they understand about UV protection for skin, once we explain 'sunblock for the eyes,' getting UV protection in their lenses is an added bonus for them," says Mary Anne Sammon, practice administrator for Yankee Eye Clinic in Eagan, Minn. "We explain that UV protection is important to prevent premature cataracts and other eye diseases, and that it's also important to protect the delicate skin around the eyes from UV with appropriate eyewear."

In addition to recommending photochromic lenses for UV protection, Advantage Vision Center uses UV-blocking contact lenses and recommends a pair of quality plano sunwear for over CLs. "Patients usually purchase sunwear within 30 days of getting contact lenses. We encourage them to get sunwear at our practice and emphasize the importance of total UV protection in any sunwear they use," Newsome says.

It's important that the message your office imparts about UV protection is both constant and consistent. "We talk about UV protection with patients about 85 percent of the time," says Anthony Dickerson, optician for Stanley Postar, OD, in Sherman Oaks, Calif. "We almost always have success by comparing UV protection for the eye to UV protection for the skin."

It is important for the doctor to cover the subject, as well. "Our doctor talks about UV protection during the eye exam. His recommendation almost guarantees that the patient will want UV protective eyewear," Dickerson says.

SPREADING THE WORD

UV-blocking contact lenses help protect eyes PHOTO COURTESY CIBA VISION

UV protection is important year-round, in every region and climate, says Yankee Eye Clinic's Sammon. "We have lots of snow here in Minnesota, and patients understand the reflective properties of snow. We sell a lot of sunwear with UV protection in the winter and summer, and utilize photochromics as our everyday comfort lens with built-in UV protection."

By emphasizing protection from UV at all times in all types of eyewear, Dickerson spans the full age range of patients. Each person's situation is different, he points out. "We address UV if someone looks like he or she spends a lot of time in the sun. We sell polycarbonate lenses for children, and poly automatically comes with UV [attenuation]. With older clientele who have pre-cataracts or have had cataract surgery already, we emphasize UV protection for the ongoing health of their eyes."

Consistency is also important. Sammon mentions a usual day at the office: "I heard one of our clinicians tell a patient the other day: 'You wouldn't go outside in the sun all day without sunblock for your skin. Eyewear with UV blocking properties offers the same protection for your eyes that sunblock does for your skin.'

"We have an educated staff who addresses UV protection for the eyes constantly, not selectively, with our patients," she adds. "We talk about UV with everyone. If we've done a good job of educating them, they'll come back wanting UV protective eyewear for their family, friends, and co-workers."

Telling your patients about UV protection for their eyes can be as simple as that.

UV Facts and Figures

1. UV damage is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 2. Those who should be especially concerned about UV include: Diabetics; patients taking medications that can induce photosensitivity and increased absorption of UV; the elderly; children; and anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors. 3. UV can cause long-term damage to skin and eyes. UV rays can cause skin cancer, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), premature cataracts, and other chronic eye conditions. 4. An estimated 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. But only 7.5 percent of children who wear prescription eyewear also own Rx sunwear. 5. The UV index is highest on cloudless days, but up to 80 percent of UV radiation can pass through clouds. Information provided by Transitions Optical