lA s an ECP, knowing facts and figures will help prepare you for conversations with every patient about protecting their eyes from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

By explaining UV protection to patients, you can help put the emphasis on eye health.

Five UV & Eye Health Essentials

Some patients want statistics, other patients only want to know the basics. Here�s a look at UV facts with tight timeframes and tightly focused presentations in mind.

1. Making a mix

The best formula for UV protection for eyes is:

UV-absorbing sunwear 

+ UV-blocking contact lenses.

+ A wide-brimmed hat.

Wide-brimmed hats and caps only eliminate around 50 percent of UV radiation from reaching the eyes, so sunwear protection in addition to a chapeau is essential.

2. Choosing Wisely

Look for sunwear that will block at least 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. In addition, effective sunwear should screen out 75 to 90 percent of light, according to the American Optometric Association.

3. Teaching Your Children

UV protection in children�s eyewear is essential because more than 80 percent of cumulative lifetime UV exposure occurs before age 18. Rays pass through a child�s crystalline lens to reach the retina. Because children are the most physically active age group and often spend the most time outside, they�re more vulnerable to UV radiation.

4. dealing with disease

An estimated 300,000 to 400,000 visually disabling cataracts are diagnosed annually in the U.S. UV was found to be one of the most important independent factors for the development of cataracts.

The AOA confirms that prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause cataracts and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration.

�Macular degeneration is a primary concern for my patients,� notes Michael Slusky, OD, of Chicagoland Vision Consultants in Chicago, Ill. �They can begin protecting their eyes from the sun�s harmful rays, avoid smoking, and maintain good nutrition with antioxidants.�

5. Shut Down Squinting

Sunlight can cause squinting and pupil constriction, which are inadequate for UV protection. Squinting and pupil constrictions are potentially dangerous and uncomfortable, and squinting causes wrinkles.

Proactive UV protection is the policy at Chicagoland Vision Consultants. �All of our patients automatically receive UV block for their glasses,�  says Slusky. �Our spec Rx sheet is pre-printed to apply UV blocking to all lenses. I recommend Class 1 UV blocking CLs and encourage patients to use sunglasses. I address UV eye health on a case-by-case basis with each patient.�  EB

The proper sunglasses can block 99 to 100 percent of UV. Image courtesy of Vision-Ease

Children benefit from UV protection for long-term eye health. Image courtesy of Transitions