Sunglasses are important in winter 🥶

 

Winter brings cloudy days and dropping temperatures, but don’t put your shades away. Wearing your sunglasses when it’s cold is just as important as shielding you from the sun’s rays when it’s warm. 

So keep those sunglasses around (or opt for a special winter pair) to keep your eyes comfortable and protected from the harsh winter elements.

Here are five reasons wear sunglasses in winter:

1. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays in winter

One big question everyone asks: Should you wear sunglasses in winter? 

In short, yes. No matter the time of year, your eyes need protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays. 

However despite the health risks and warnings, Vision Impact Institute research finds that while 75 percent of Americans are concerned about UV safety, only 31 percent wear sunglasses when they step outside. 

For optimal eye sun-safety, the American Optometric Association recommends wearing sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75% to 90% percent of visible light. 

2. Sunglasses should be worn for winter activities

Sunglasses aren’t just for sunny days at the beach or the slopes. In fact, everyone should be protecting their eyes in winter, too.  

For adults, sunglasses should be part of every daytime driving routine. Because a car’s windshield offers very little protection from UV rays and glare, protective eyewear is needed for safety. 

Outdoor leisure and exercise like skiing, running and hiking also call for proper eyewear to keep activities easy on the eyes, no matter your age. 

Ask your eye care professional for recommendations for the right sunglasses to fit your activities and lifestyle. 

3. High-quality sunglasses fend off some eye diseases

Well-made sunglasses do more than just keep your eyes covered and comfortable. 

In fact, wearing a high-quality pair of sunglasses also can help prevent certain eye diseases related to the sun, including cataracts, macular degeneration, pinguecula and pterygia.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization, with many cases believed to be enhanced by UVB rays. 

Macular degeneration also can occur after unprotected sun exposure, along with pinguecula and pterygia, which cause yellowish and raised bumps on the whites of the eyes. 

So whether the weather is looking bright or snowy, be sure to bring your sunglasses with you at all times to keep your eyes clear and healthy. 

4. UV rays are intensified during winter 

If sunglasses are for blocking the sun, should they still be worn on dreary winter days? Yes. And in some cases, it’s even more important to wear sunglasses in cold weather.

While the sun sits lower in the sky in the winter months, the UV rays are just as intense. And in some cases, the colder months actually bring a risk of double exposure to UV rays.

Sunlight bounces off wet and icy surroundings, producing a glare and doubling our exposure to harmful UV rays. So if it’s wet or snowy outside, be sure to bring your polarized sunglasses to shield your eyes from the glare. 

5. Sunglasses and goggles prevent snow blindness

As mentioned above, water is one of the most reflective surfaces. And whether the sun is fully visible or not, being on or near snow or ice increases the amount of UV radiation you receive. Many winter sport activities also usually take place at high altitudes, where the sun’s UV rays are stronger. 

When combined, reflective surfaces and high altitudes double your risk of getting sunburned eyes. This temporary loss of vision is also known as “snow blindness” or photokeratitis. 

In addition to preventing snow blindness, wearing sunglasses from November through March can help reduce winter glare and vision-related headaches. So if you’re hitting the slopes, selecting appropriate sunglasses for skiing and snowboarding is essential. 

Schedule an eye exam and discuss your winter activities with our doctors. They will help you find the right eyewear to keep your peepers protected and comfortable through the winter months.

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #eyewear #sunglasses #winter www.drboyeroptometrist.com

August: Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

August is dedicated to preventing eye injuries and vision loss and saving children’s eyesight. One of 20 children ages 3 to 5 has a vision problem that could result in permanent vision if left untreated. Despite this unsettling statistics, 80 percent of preschoolers do not receive an eye screening. Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month encourages parents to learn how to protect their child’s eyesight and save their child’s eyesight from vision threatening conditions through regular eye exams.

How Important Is It To Have An Eye Exam?

Children should have an eye exam at 6 months and this must be repeated at age 3. Once they start school, eye exams must be done regularly. About 80% of what children learn in school is taught visually, which means if a child has undetected and uncorrected vision problem, it will affect the child’s development and performances in school. Some warning signs that your child may be experiences vision problems are:

• Tilting the head or squinting to see the class board better or when watching TV
• Frequent eye rubbing when he’s trying to concentrate on something.
• Holding a book too close to his eyes or often sitting close to the TV.
• Consistently using his fingers to guide his eyes when reading.
• Closing one eye to read or watch TV.
• Excessive tearing without any tear-causing stimuli.
• Eye discomfort when using a computer or any digital device i.e digital eye strain.
• Sensitivity to light, which is sometimes accompanied by headache or nausea.
• Wandering eyes.

Special Tips on Children’s Eye Health and Safety 

Early detection of vision conditions is crucial. Red flags that a child may have a vision problem, are uneven focus, amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes). Lazy eye is often corrected if treatment started at an early age; however, successful treatment is rarely achieved if treatment has started after a child reaches 8 or 9 years old.

Protect your child from eye injuries by ensuring your children’s toys are age-appropriate and not a danger to their eyes. Check if your child’s toys or stuff are free of sharp or protruding parts that could accidentally poke the eyes. Fireworks are also detrimental to your child’s safety, as it can cause blindness if not handled correctly. 

Be aware that eye injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. Eye injuries are often caused by sports or physical activities, 90% could have been avoided if the child had worn protective eyewear, such as polycarbonate lenses fitted by an eye care professional. These lenses can withstand a ball traveling 90mph as it is 20 times stronger than ordinary eyeglasses.

It’s important to know that at Dr Boyer optometry we specialize in helping you keep your child’s vision healthy and obtain early diagnosis in case your child is suffering from vision problems, through a regular eye exam.  

(909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784  www.drboyeroptometrist.com

APRIL: Sports Eye Safety Month

  While many of us are aware of sports-related injuries, what you may not be aware of is that eye injuries account for a large amount of those injuries.

Annually, more than 25,000 people seek medical attention due to a sports-related eye injury. A third of those 25,000 injuries happen to children, the majority of them occurring in water-related sports, martial arts, boxing, basketball, baseball/softball, football, and soccer. So, just about every single sport you can think of, there’s a risk of getting an eye injury.

The good news in all of this is about 90% of these eye injuries can be prevented with use of protective eyewear. Many sports incorporate elements of this concept into their uniforms, the most common being helmets and masks. 

It is also important to remember that regular prescription glasses do not offer proper eye protection against sports-related eye injuries. Regular glasses or sunglasses can shatter on impact, making an eye injury much worse.  Always use protective eye gear, such as safety glasses or goggles, safety shields, or eye guards depending on the sport. Sports glasses or goggles have polycarbonate lenses, which are more impact resistant. When considering protective eyewear for sports, also think about getting UV protection. They may not only reduce glare but protect your eyes from developing glaucoma or cataracts later in life. 

If an eye injury unfortunately does occur, call us immediately, even if the injury appears to be a minor one. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness

 (909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Sports Safety

 For many kids and adults, the return of spring means it’s time to gather up bats, gloves and helmets and head for the baseball diamond. But too many people forget to include an important piece of gear: protective eyewear. 

According to the National Eye Institute, baseball is a leading cause of eye injuries among children 14 years old and younger who play sports in the U.S. In fact, eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children, accounting for an estimated 100,000 emergency room and doctor visits each year.

It’s a sad fact that nine out of 10 kids who have suffered an eye injury could have prevented it just by wearing proper eye protection. Unfortunately, many youth and adult sports leagues do not require players to wear protective eyewear.

Potential eye injuries from baseball include:

• corneal abrasion;
• orbital fracture;
• hyphema, which can lead to glaucoma;
• ruptured eyeball;
• cataract; and
• detached retina.

People often think that wearing their regular eyeglasses or sunglasses offers some protection from a baseball hit, but this is false. The truth is that non-protective eyewear can shatter upon impact, causing more damage to your eye.

Before taking the field, take the proper steps to keep your eyes safe:

• If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, ask your eye doctor about prescription protective sports eyewear. There are certified helmets with attached safety glasses for baseball batters and base runners; fielders can get certified protective eyewear.
• Sports safety glasses must meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety standards. Eyewear designed to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) industrial standards does not meet the safety standards for sports eye protection.
• All prescription sports glasses should be made from polycarbonate material because it resists shattering and provides UV (ultraviolet light) protection. If the protective lenses have turned yellow over time, have them replaced, as the polycarbonate material may have weakened with age.
• Sports goggles provide the best eye protection. However, they may not fit narrow faces well. In this case, the best option is certified sports glasses with 3-millimeter-thick polycarbonate lenses.

Our doctors and opticians can help you select the best options that meet the standards you need for your sport.  Contact us for an evaluation and exam. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Preventing Sports-related eye injuries

 

Sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year. The good news is that 90% of serious eye injuries could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear.

How to Prevent and Treat Sports Eye Injuries

Different activities and sports have different levels of risk for eye injury. Make sure that you’re using the right kind of eye protection for each activity. Regular eyeglasses do not offer proper eye protection and in some cases can make an injury worse if they shatter.

Be careful during activities or games involving projectiles and other sharp objects that could create injury if in contact with the eye.

If you have an eye injury call our office, even if the injury appears minor. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

What Sports Cause Eye Injuries?

Eye injuries can happen in almost any sport, but some sports are higher risk than others.

Basketball causes most sports eye injuries in the U.S.

One study found that basketball was the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the United States followed by basketball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball and hockey.

Protective sports glasses with shatterproof plastic, called polycarbonate lenses, should be worn for sports such as basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey. Our office can help provide you with the ASTM  standard of eye protection.

Sports that require face masks or face shields for eye protection

In ice hockey and men’s lacrosse, wear a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield. Hockey face masks should be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

On-the-Field Visual Test Helps Diagnose Concussions in Athletes

About 3.8 million Americans sustain sports-related concussions each year. A quick, reliable screening test is useful on the sidelines to keep injured athletes from returning to play too soon. An on-the-field visual test (which consists of reading a series of printed numbers, and their responses were scored for accuracy and time) helps physicians better diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with concussions.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Sports Eye Safety Month

 Each year, an estimated 100,000 people are hurt by sports-related eye injuries. About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss. The great majority of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided by simply wearing the proper protection. Make an appointment today to get protection for all your athletes. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #sportseyesafetymonth www.drboyeroptometrist.com