Baltimore Washington Eye Center Announces UV Eye Protection Awareness Month

BALTIMORE, MD, May 24, 2012 (Press-News.org) Baltimore Washington Eye Center wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated May as National Ultraviolet Eye Awareness Month. "Most people know the harmful effects that ultraviolet (UV) rays can have on the skin. But many are not aware of the damage that they can cause to the eyes," said Baltimore Ophthalmologist Brad Spagnolo, M.D. of Baltimore Washington Eye Center. "Possibly the most frightening aspect of UV damage is that it is cumulative, meaning the negative effects may not present themselves until years later."

Today almost everyone is aware of the potential damage that sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause to their skin, however most are unaware of or simply do not appreciate that ultraviolet light (UV) can also cause significant damage to eye health and vision. "Most of us wouldn't dream of staying outside in the sun without putting on sunscreen lotion," said Baltimore Washington Eye Center Medical Director Arturo Betancourt, M.D. "But we also need to remember to wear both UV-blocking lenses and a brimmed hat to protect our eyes as well."

Patients are fortunate to have wide range of UV protecting eyeglass lenses 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.

"As eye physicians and surgeons we know that exposure to UV has been linked to many eye problems and in some cases thought to quicken the onset of eye diseases such as cataract, age related macular degeneration and increases the risk of certain cancers on the delicate skin around the eye," commented Dr. Betancourt. "As a cornea specialist I often see patients with UV related problems such as Pterygia-a growth of white tissue on the surface of the eye-and even Photokeratitis, a type of sunburn of the cornea," added Dr. Spagnolo.

Baltimore Washington Eye Center is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area that staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide 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, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. Baltimore Washington Eye Center is conveniently located for patients from Arbutus, Carney, Catonsville, Clarksville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex, Ellicott City, Ferndale, Glen Burnie, Kenwood, Laurel, Linthicum, Lutherville, Millersville, Odenton, Olney, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Towson, Parkville, Randallstown, Rivera Beach, Pasadena, Severna Park, South Gate and Woodlawn Maryland.

When you visit Baltimore Washington Eye Center please ask us any questions you might have about UV protection, eye disease and the best way to protect your eyes with the proper eyewear and lens choices or visit us at http://www.bweyecenter.com or http://www.facebook.com/baltimorewashingtoneyecenter

SOURCE:
Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
http://www.seewithlasik.com
http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com

For additional information, contact:
Phillip Harrington, Baltimore Washington Eye Center, 200 Hospital Drive, Suite 600, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061, PHarrington@BWEyecenter.com, 800-495-3937.