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Kids need sunglasses

Sunglasses provide protection from cataracts for people of all ages and prevention should start with small children.

More than 20 million Americans older than 40 years have a cataract in at least one eye and that number is expected in increase by 2020.  Wearing sunglasses, especially early in life, may help reduce the risk of cataracts says Dr. Michelle Miner, assistant professor of pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, who explains the condition.

SOUND BITE: “A cataract is a clouding basically of the lens of the eye.  That’s what we see through normally and it develops very, very slowly, usually over a period of many years.  Some cataracts are completely asymptomatic, patients just don’t notice them at all.  But if you do have significant clouding it can actually lead to blindness.”

Dr. Miner says the ultraviolet light from the sun’s rays causes damage to the eye.  It has a cumulative effect over a lifetime and can cause cataracts to develop and impair vision.  She says children’s eyes are especially vulnerable to the sun’s damage during the middle of the day.

SOUND BITE:  “Typically about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the time of the strongest solar radiation.  But really any time a child is outside, their eyes should be protected with a pair of sunglasses and a hat, ideally.  In addition, any time you are around water, as you know, water reflects the sunlight even more and can really intensify that effect.” 

Dr. Miner recommends that everyone, even infants, wear sunglasses when they are outside in sunlight to protect from developing cataracts.  She says the larger lenses which cover the whole eye are best.   Anyone who is experiencing impaired vision should check with their primary care physician,  an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.