• DON’T STARE AT THE SUN!

    1. HomeNewsDON’T STARE AT THE SUN!
    You’ve probably been told to not look directly at the sun. If you’ve ever glanced at the sun, you know it doesn’t take that long to want to close your eyes and look away. Sunlight is harsh, and projects rays of light that we can’t see, but we can certainly feel. A few seconds of looking at the sun can make your eyes feel sore for a short time or leave a small dark circle in your vision for a minute.

    Looking at the sun for longer periods of time will certainly lead to permanent vision defects. Experts state that it takes an average of 100 seconds of staring at the sun to cause severe, irreversible damage. Here are some interesting facts surrounding the link between sunlight and vision problems:

    YOUR EYES ARE THE MOST NAKED PART OF YOUR BODY

    Your bare skin can feel physical touch and energy from rays of light, but when it gets damaged, it can repair itself. A cut or a sunburn might take a week or two to heal, but eventually it goes away. Your eyes have sensitive cells that are more at risk from vulnerability to sunlight than your skin cells. These light-sensitive cells and exposed muscle (your iris) and veins can suffer from from the sun after a few seconds of direct light.

    UV RAYS ARE YOUR EYE’S NUMBER ONE ENEMY

    UV rays excite the light-sensitive cells in your eyes and they work in overload. The chemicals these cells produce can bleed into other parts of your eyes and cause damage that takes months to heal. Staring at the sun for even a few seconds causes a sunburn in your eyes like prolonged exposure does to your skin. The clear, outer membrane can tear and blister, leading to an itchy burning pain like that of a sunburn. The sensation usually only lasts a day or two, but can last longer if the damage is worse.

    CATARACTS AND BLINDNESS

    Sunlight can build cataracts or lead to blindness. Cataracts are blurry spots in your field of vision that can make it hard to perform daily tasks, such as driving, reading, and writing. If the sun damage reaches the rods and cones of your eyes, your are likely to become permanently blind.

    PREVENTING SUN DAMAGE TO YOUR EYES

    The obvious answer to avoiding sun damage to your eyes is to avoid looking at the sun. However, as you move around throughout the day, you might accidentally catch a glimpse of direct sunlight. It’s wise to own a pair of UV blocking sunglasses, especially while driving down sunny roads where closing or hiding your eyes isn’t an option. Also, don’t stare directly at a solar eclipse as the re-emerging light has an overwhelming effect on anyone looking directly at it.

    Are you concerned that your eyes are damaged from sunlight? Call Silverstein Eye Centers today to make an appointment for an eye exam.

    Posted June 18, 2015 by Silverstein Eye Centers
    HOW CAN WE HELP?

    We are committed to delivering the highest quality patient care.

    GET IN TOUCH

    Our Specialties:

    Premium lens implants provide a continuous range of vision from near to far. In contrast to standard lens implants which require glasses for distance or close-up vision, premium lens implants expand your range of functional vision for both distance and near vision. Corrective eyewear may still be necessary for some activities, but the freedom from glasses and contact lenses is incredible. Learn more about our Premium Lens Implant options.
    A healthy cornea is critical to your vision and general health. When your cornea is damaged by injury, infection, or disease, your ability to focus is compromised because the incoming light can be distorted or blocked. Steven Silverstein MD, FACS is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist. He is an internationally renowned expert, and will expertly treat any corneal issues you may have.

    Ask us about Prokera, a biologic corneal bandage that has natural therapeutic actions known to heal the eye faster with less pain, scarring, and inflammation.
    If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, cataract surgery is the only way to restore your vision. Your choice of a cataract surgeon can have a significant impact on the quality of your results, so choosing your cataract surgeon carefully is worth the time and effort. At Silverstein Eye Centers, we use only the most advanced technology for laser-assisted cataract surgery. Learn more about cataract treatment options.
    LASIK laser vision correction has enabled millions of people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism, to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts. Dr. Silverstein has been performing LASIK procedures since the technology first became available, and is an expert in the field. Learn more about LASIK vision correction.

    Proactive eye care starts with routine examinations. Our complete examination will reveal any eye problems, even hidden ones you may not be aware of.

    If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, elevated cholesterol, or thyroid disease, your vision and the health of your eyes could be affected. Also, certain medications can cause visual problems, which is why it’s so important to have your eyes examined on a regular basis. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment!
    « Read Previous Post: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EYE FLOATERS
    Read Next Post: YOU SHOULDN’T SKIP ROUTINE EYE CHECKUPS »
    Skip to content