Sight is one of the most important senses. Anyone who cares about their health needs to schedule regular appointments with their doctor. Although you need to schedule annual appointments with your eye doctor, they may suggest that you see them more regularly, depending on your needs. Swati Kumar OD, FAAO, suggests that you ask the right questions every time you visit a doctor. Consider creating a list of your questions to ensure that you don’t forget anything important. Here are a few of the most critical questions.
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Why should I wear sunglasses every day?
Sunglasses have been proven to protect your eyes from UV-A and UV-B radiation. Although most of the protection comes from the eye’s natural mechanisms, people need to protect themselves from damaging sun rays all year round. Cloud cover is not enough to provide the necessary protection for your eyes. If you are curious about why you always need your sunglasses, your doctor should put your mind at ease.
What is the difference between UV-A and UV-B rays?
Many people assume that UV-A and UV-B are the same. Your eye doctor is the best person to explain the differences to you. There are three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, B, and C. UV-C is completely absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, so it does not reach the surface. UV-A is partly absorbed by the atmosphere, but it does reach us on cloudy days. UV-B is completely reabsorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, and it reaches us on sunny days.
UV-A rays are ~10% less intense than UV-B rays. However, they can penetrate your eyes and cause more long-term damage than UV-B rays. This is because the eye’s lens and cornea do not have any pain receptors to warn you when UV lights are damaging them.
How do polarized lenses help with eye health?
Polarized lenses reduce reflected glare from water, snow, concrete, and other reflective surfaces. By removing reflected glare, all light that enters your eyes reaches the lens on the retina, where it is absorbed.
Polarized lenses also prevent haze and scattered light from entering your eyes, so they focus only on objects directly in front of you. They give you a crisper view with less eye fatigue.
Sunglasses should have both UVA and UVB absorptive properties to provide the best protection. High-quality sunglasses offer 99% absorptive rates for both types of ultraviolet rays.
When should children wear sunglasses?
If you have kids, you may be wondering if they need sunglasses. Sunglasses are an essential accessory for protecting children’s eyes from potential damage. However, they mustn’t use too heavy or strong glasses because they can distort their developing eyes. The lenses should be made of plastic or shatterproof material, and the best sunglasses are fitted with rubber pads to ensure that they do not slip while participating in sports or playing around.
Should you wear sunglasses around your dog or cat?
It is an essential question if you have pets. Dogs and cats don’t need to wear sunglasses. However, it is crucial to protect their eyes from excessive sunlight during the day and night. It is also imperative that you not leave your pets in a car because glass windows do not offer UV protection.
If you have any questions about your eye health, your doctor should give you the answers you need. Consider creating a list of all your important questions and submitting it to them on your next appointment.