Effective Sunglasses Key to Preventing UV Eye Sun Damage, Says Connecticut Doctor

WESTPORT, CT, April 27, 2013 (Press-News.org) "Effective UV blocking sunglasses and eyeglasses along with some common sense approaches can go a long way to minimizing the risk of UV sun eye damage," commented Fairfield County Ophthalmologist & Corneal Specialist Leslie Doctor, M.D. "We find that this time of year-as patients spend more time involved in outdoor activities-they tend to underestimate their risk of sun and UV damage to their eyes. It's actually greater than most people realize," she said. "One of the things most people are simply unaware of is that UV sun and eye damage can occur both acutely-right now from overexposure, or cumulatively and it shows up years later. Eye problems such as photokeratitis-a corneal sunburn-can result almost immediately from excessive UV exposure, whereas an earlier development of cataracts, increased risk of age related macular degeneration, facial and eyelid skin cancers or a growth of vascular tissue on the surface of the eye called a pterygium are due to the long term cumulative effects of UV sun eye damage," explained Dr. Doctor.

Patients visiting Willows Opticians at Doctor & Associates in Norwalk, Westport, or Wilton, will find a wide range of UV protecting eyeglass lenses and sunglasses available to choose from. Eye protection from UV needs to be complete but doesn't have to be overly expensive. High quality sunglasses should block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. It is also important to have UV protection in everyday eyewear, which is readily available with a number of UV blocking eyeglass lens materials, specialized coatings and photochromic lenses.

"I counsel my patients on using some simple common sense precautions for protecting against UV eye damage as well as UV skin damage on the face and around the eyes," shared Leslie Doctor, M.D. "First, if you are going to be outside-particularly on the Connecticut seacoast and waterfront sun - you need to wear sunscreen. Second, remember to wear UV-blocking eyeglass or sunglass lenses. Choose an eyeglass or sunglass frame that is large enough so that it covers the delicate tissue and skin around the eye. Last, wear a hat with a brim to further block sunlight and protect your eyes surrounding tissue," said Dr. Doctor.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Connecticut eye care practice providing eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and management of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services. For those patients in need of eye surgery, as a founding member of the Wilton Surgery Center, Doctor & Associates eye surgeons are able to provide eye surgery in a convenient, close to home and cost effective ambulatory surgery center.

For additional information, contact:
Dorothy Figueroa, Doctor & Associates, 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, dfigueroa@drdrgroup.com, 203-227-4113.

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