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

JULY is Ultraviolet Safety month (UV)

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, our office reminds our patients and friends of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.

Here are some tips:

• Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.
• Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
• Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses, either the lenses of the frame, should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
• Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
• Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses
• Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times: Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.
• Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children.
• Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, if possible, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

In addition to the proper safety eyewear, regular eye exams for early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are essential to maintaining good vision at every stage of life.

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

 

JULY: UV Safety Month

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, we’d like to remind our patients of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.

Here are some tips:

• Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.
• Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
• Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses, either the lenses of the frame, should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
• Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
• Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.

• Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times: Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.
• Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children.
• Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, if possible, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.

In addition to the proper safety eyewear, regular eye exams for early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are essential to maintaining good vision at every stage of life.

Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam today with Dr Boyer or Dr Brian to ensure you’re staying on top of your health and can work with your doctor’s to address any issues.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750

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

 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD www.drboyeroptometrist.com

How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags

 

Under-eye swelling or puffiness is a common cosmetic concern. Often referred to as “eye bags,” these areas of swollen tissue under eyes can add to the appearance of aging or sleepiness. According to the Mayo Clinic, bags under eyes rarely signal a serious health condition, but many people still struggle with this feature of their appearance. 

Puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes occur for many reasons, including genetics, allergies, stress, eye fatigue, and salt consumption. Swelling around the eyes is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the surrounding skin tissue. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, swelling and discoloration can be easily visible.

Bags under eyes generally result from a variety of factors, including:

• A weakening of the muscles around the eyes, which happens naturally with age
• Consuming too much salt
• Allergies
• Genetics
• Dehydration
• Lack of Sleep 
• Stress

Lifestyle Changes

Reduce your salt intake: Too much salt in your diet can cause your eyes to puff, as excess sodium levels can lead to fluid retention. If you think too much salt may be the cause of your puffy eyes, cut back on salty foods

Eat potassium-rich foods: A healthy intake of potassium acts as a counterbalance to high sodium levels. The combination of too much sodium and not enough potassium not only causes puffy eyes but relates to your cardiovascular health as well. Bananas, avocados, spinach, sweet potato, coconut water, yogurt, and other potassium-rich foods help restore the balance of potassium in your body and reduce the water retention that contributes to bags under the eyes.

Stay hydrated: When your body is dehydrated, it tries to retain more water, causing your under eye area to swell. The Mayo Clinic’s water drinking recommendations are that men drink about 3.7 liters of water per day, while women drink about 2.7 liters.

Manage Stress

Medical studies show that stress changes the salt balance in your body. If salt and water balances are off, your eyes can retain more water and swell as a result. Stress also causes some people to lose sleep. Lack of sleep causes the blood vessels under the thin skin of the eyes to dilate, creating the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Look for ways to reduce your stress, such as the following recommended by the Cleveland Clinic:

• Exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• Counseling

Another way to reduce stress is by maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine.

Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes

To accelerate your treatments of puffy eyes, you can also use home remedies such as: 

• Chilled spoons
• Frozen bags of peas
• Gentle facial massages
• Eye creams*

*Be aware some eye cream preservatives and retinoids around the eyes can cause skin dryness to the sensitive under eye area, or even do damage to the glands that nourish the eye, and can cause dry-eye syndrome. [dry eye syndrome or blepharoconjunctivitis are the most common side effects, appearing in 20-50% of patients treated with retinoids. They often contribute to other occurrences or side-effects such as ocular discomfort and contact lens intolerance.]

Surgery

With aging, and in other cases, the only true treatment might be a surgical procedure known as lower eyelid blepharoplasty. It’s always good to talk to our doctors who can recommend qualified surgeons in our area.

And last but not least…

Skin Protection 

Protect your skin from the sun (sunlight damages the skin and makes eye bags worse)

• Use UV protection sunblock 
• Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection (polarized vs non polarized sunglasses-we’ll post that in another blog article)

Schedule an appointment for your yearly eye exam and discuss this information with our doctors to get the best medical advice for your personal situation.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

#undereyebags 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

November is Diabetic Awareness Month

 People with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Yet recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes. With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, Dr Boyer and Dr Brian encourages those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.

Diabetic eye disease has no warning signs, however, early detection and timely treatment can help reduce the risks.  An annual, comprehensive dilated eye examination is one of the best ways to detect early signs of diabetic eye disease.  Taking your diabetic medication as prescribed, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and refraining from smoking can also help control your diabetes which lessens your risks of diabetic eye disease.

Ways that diabetic eye disease may affect your eyes:

• Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye
• Diabetic retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina
• Glaucoma: increases the fluid pressure inside your eye and leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision

It is a good idea to have an annual comprehensive eye examination even if you do not suffer from diabetes and especially if you’ve experienced any visual problems.  If you suffer from diabetes, make sure you have a comprehensive eye examination with dilation each year.  Make an appointment with our experienced trained doctors today.

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

UV Safety Awareness Month

Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer.

One day can still do damage 

If your eyes are exposed to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time, you will likely experience photokeratitis. Like a "sunburn of the eye," photokeratitis can be painful, with symptoms including red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tearing....potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause permanent damage to the eyes.

Overexposure Over time

The longer the eyes are exposed to solar radiation, the greater the risk of developing cataracts, eye cancer, pterygium (surfer’s eye) or macular degeneration later in life. It is not clear how much exposure to solar radiation will cause damage. So, whenever you spend time outdoors, wear a wide-brim hat as well as quality sunglasses that offer UV protection.

To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should:

• Block out 99 to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
• Screen out 75 to 90% of visible light.
• Have lenses that are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight, consider wearing wraparound frames for additional protection from the harmful solar radiation. Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults. 

Also, certain contact lenses can provide additional UV protection, which is why it is so important to visit your optometrist when renewing your prescription—to ensure your contacts are the right fit for your lifestyle and level of sun exposure, which is something that so-called “online vision tests” cannot provide.

Don’t forget indoor risk

Artificial sources of UV light such as welding machines, tanning beds and lasers can also pose serious eye health issues. As part of your annual comprehensive eye exam, be sure to talk to your doctor of optometry about any indoor risks—as well as your outdoor activities in all seasons—so that your level of UV exposure can be assessed and the appropriate UV absorbing glasses and/or contact lenses prescribed for your individual needs and ongoing protection. 

Our Dr.’s can provide you with best and most up-to-date information on protecting your eyes. 

Call for an appointment today. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 or (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

 Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. In its early stages it has no noticeable symptoms. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises the public that the best defense against developing glaucoma-related blindness is by having routine, comprehensive eye exams. Schedule your today. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #glaucoma #blindness www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?

The simple answer is YES! Our skin and our eyes are organs. This makes them susceptible to the elements, which mean that like our skin, our eyes can become sunburned from prolonged exposure. There are simple things you can do to prevent photokeratitis, which is essentially damage to the cornea from sunlight exposure. Cataracts and macular degeneration are some of the long-term issues linked to prolonged UV exposure.

3 Ideas for Protecting Your Eyes in the Summer

• SUNGLASSES! Wearing protective eyewear is an essential for summer. There are a lot of great stylish sunglasses to choose from that can protect your eyes while keeping you looking great. Larger frames will always protect more of your face so consider oversized styles for prolonged exposure. Also, when shopping for sunglasses, the most important feature to keep in mind is full UV coverage. You want to look for a sticker that says UV 400 which covers UVA and UVB lights or 100% UV protection.
• Large brim hats are very much in style right now. When outside and exposed to the sun, wear one that shades your eyes.
• While at the pool, beach, lake, or river, consider an umbrella to create a shaded spot for yourself and your family.

How Are Sunburned Eyes Treated?

There are things you can do to make yourselves more comfortable while waiting for it to resolve. These include:

• Applying a cold compress to the eyes. A cold wash cloth over the eyes can reduce pain and swelling.
• Using artificial gel teardrops or a lubricating ointment. This can reduce the gritty or sandy feeling in the eye.
• Taking over-the-counter pain medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the eye.
• Avoiding further sunlight exposure. Don’t worsen your existing injury.

Don’t Forget About Those Overcast Days

Even on days when you don’t see the sun, your eyes are exposed to UV rays. Wind, glare, and ultraviolet radiation exposure are always present. Regardless of the time of year, sporting the right protective eyewear is important for your overall eye health. Avoid the short and long-term effects of UV damage (and look stylish) by simply throwing on a pair of shades year-round.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe summer!

Haven’t had your annual eye exam yet? Call for an appointment today.(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 

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

www.drboyeroptometrist.com