Signs of Excess UV Exposure to the Eyes

It’s no secret by now that excess UV exposure can damage the eyes and lead to vision problems. But many people don’t realize how much UV exposure constitutes an excess. It actually doesn’t take that much to cause damage. For example, a day out on the beach in the Florida sunshine can damage the eyes unless you wear UV-rated sunglasses and take other steps to protect your eyes. Here are some signs of excess UV exposure that you should learn:

Photokeratitis

This is a long word for a condition commonly referred to as sunburn of the eyes. It causes a gritty, sandy sensation in the eyes, redness, pain and swelling. With care, it can subside within 24-48 hours. However, if you continually expose your eyes to the sun in this way, the results can be more long-lasting.

Pterygium

More commonly known as surfer’s eye, this is a long-term condition that results in a growth on the white surface of the eye. This growth can be removed, but it often leads to discomfort and vision impairment.

Cataracts

Did you know that not wearing sunglasses makes you a higher risk for developing cataracts in Jacksonville, FL? This condition, which inhibits vision, involves clouding of the lens of the eye. The cataract won’t go away without surgery. In the meantime, it will continue to grow and worsen over time.

Macular degeneration

This is another sign that you’ve had too much UV exposure. Although not always caused by UV rays, macular degeneration has been linked to a lack of protection from the sun.

Many of these signs can be prevented by simply donning a pair of UV-rated sunglasses whenever you’re outside. For help with any of the conditions listed above, or to book your next eye exam in Jacksonville, FL, contact Stam & Associates Eye Care today.

Understanding Neurolenses

If you have yet to hear about neurolenses in Jacksonville, FL, you’ll be excited to learn more about this technologically advanced vision correction solution. If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you owe it to yourself to ask your optometrist about neurolenses.

What Are Neurolenses?

Neurolenses are a special type of prescription eyeglass lens uniquely made for our modern world. These lenses are specially designed to reduce or eliminate eye strain, headaches, and other symptoms commonly associated with viewing screens for the better part of the day. Think of all the times that you use screens in your daily activities at work, leisure and school:

  • GPS in the car
  • Computers at work
  • Gaming at home
  • Recipe lookups in the kitchen
  • Smart TVs at home
  • And much more…

Neurolenses are different from traditional prescription eyewear lenses in several ways:

Patented Technology

Neurolenses make use of a patented technology called contoured prism. This technology helps to align the eyes more comfortably when a person is doing close-up work, like looking at a computer screen, by adjusting the amount of prism throughout the lens.

Focus on Digital Use

Traditional eyeglass lenses are typically optimized for distance vision, up-close activities like reading, or both, as in the case of bifocals or progressive lenses. Neurolenses, on the other hand, are optimized for viewing digital devices from various angles and at varying distances.

Eye Alignment Correction

The patented technology in neurolenses works to correct the slight misalignment of the eyes that can occur when focusing on near objects. This misalignment can lead to strain as the brain works to correct it. This is a very common problem that standard lenses don’t typically address.

Talk to your optometrist in Jacksonville, FL, today about neurolenses. They just might be the prescription eyewear solution you’ve been waiting for!