Ripples Digital Vol. 3 Iss. 8 June 2015 | Page 5

6 Important Tips to Keep Eyes Safe from the Sun (NC) If you've ever felt the pain of sunburn on your skin, the feeling of sunburnt eyes is just as uncomfortable. To avoid discomfort and protect the eyes from the long term effects of sun damage, follow these six tips suggested by doctors of optometry: 1. SPF. SPF. SPF. Always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 25 on your face, and pay special attention to the area around your eyes. 2. Wear sunglasses yearround. More than 90% of ultraviolet rays penetrate through the clouds. Even when it's overcast, your eyes are heavily exposed to UV rays. Plus, they reflect off of surfaces like snow and water. tor of optometry to make sure the lenses are both UVA and UVB blocking—after all, not all sunglasses are created equal. 4. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. It will cover your face from the sun. 5. Choose UV-blocking contact lenses. In combination with sunglasses and a hat, UVblocking contact lenses can protect your eyes from up to 90 per cent of UVA rays and 99 per cent of UVB rays. Ensure that your brand has the appropriate level of protection. 6. Avoid man-made light sources. Tanning lamps or welding sources, for example, emit harmful UV rays. Whether it's with tinted goggles or simply by 3. Channel your inner movie closing your eyes, be proactive star. Bigger sunglass frames and protect your eyes from harmwill provide more protection ful light sources. from the rays. Check with a doc- Continued on Page 28...Click Here! RIPPLES - 5