As much as many of us love to be outside participating in our favorite sport, we must not forget to be diligent about protecting our eyes. The human body is extremely capable of repairing itself in many ways, but the cells of the lens of the eye are different, and the lens can’t repair itself.

If we allow our eyes to absorb ultraviolet rays (UV), we can expect irreversible damage over time. A lifetime of neglect can lead to diseases of the eye.

Cataracts would one of those diseases. This is when a clouding of the eye occurs. It causes vision to be blurred or limited, and can often be seen by others in its advanced stages. Have you ever noticed how older dogs seem to have cloudy eyes? This is an example of cataracts. Ultraviolet (UV) rays generally cause this condition.

Pteryguim is another disease. On the white part of the eye a tissue growth can develop, blocking vision.

Other concerns with UV rays include skin cancer (melanoma can develop on the eyelids and face) and macular degeneration. The latter is the leading cause of blindness in retinal diseases.

It is important to know that UV rays are not visible with the human eye. And even though it may be cloudy outside, UV rays will still be present.

Children are particularly susceptible to exposure to UV radiation, as kids rarely wear sunglasses. If they do, they generally have inexpensive ones, as we all know they are prone to losing and breaking them. Unfortunately, ordinary sunglasses are not enough. The pupils dilate with dark lenses, allowing more UVA and UVB into the eye lens and retina.

The UV rays are at their brightest between 10am and 2pm, so particular attention should be given to wearing sunglasses during this time of day, for children and adults.

When looking for sunglasses, it’s best to choose some that offer 95% UV coverage. Large lenses fitting close to the eyes are also desirable. Just because a product is a brand name, doesn’t mean it will have proper UV protection. Take time to research your sunglass choices. Sunglasses for babies and toddlers are available and can be found with elastic straps attached, thus preventing the children from dropping them.

Prevention is worth the effort when it comes to proper eye protection. Keep an eye out for your eyes; they are the only ones you get!