Brought to you by Waushara County Health Department
In the month of July, the American Academy of Ophthalmology observes UV safety month. UV safety month is important to observe because a lot of people are unaware of the effects that UV exposure can have on you, and more specifically, your eyes.
Studies have shown that long-term exposure to bright sunlight can cause an increased risk of cataracts and growths on your eyes, which can include cancer. UV that is reflected at your eyes from water or even sand can cause sunburn in your eyes.
This sunburn on your eyes could cause temporary blindness for a few hours. In order to combat too much UV exposure to your eyes, remember to shield your eyes. You should wear 100% UV-blocking sunglasses or even a hat will help.
Besides from your eyes, UV exposure is bad for your skin. You should not intentionally burn or tan from the sun because this may cause cancer and aging of your skin. Too much UV exposure can also begin to kill your skin cells. It is important to obtain vitamin D, but you should try and get most of your vitamin D from certain foods or supplements.
It is also important to help children, the elderly, and those with special needs protect their skin from the sun. It is important to check the UV index every day and to also wear protective clothing so that you’re not exposed to UV radiation all day. You should also make sure that if you will be spending a long amount of time outside that you wear sunscreen, seek shade, and are careful around surfaces that reflect the sun’s rays.
The Waushara County Health Department encourages everyone to be outside and get fresh air, but make sure you are being careful about how much UV radiation you are exposed to. Following the simple tips discussed above will help you control your UV exposure.
