HEALTHY EYES
The UV Link
A quick review of common ocular diseases and UV radiation exposure
as ECPs, you know the dangers of over-exposure to UV. Here is a quick review—especially valuable for staff members who may not normally work at this level—of some of the most common ocular diseases related to UV radiation.
• PTERYGIUM is a wedge-shaped growth of abnormal tissue resulting in a membrane that can grow across the cornea. It is mainly a problem in dusty environments with a high degree of UV radiation, particularly in areas of the world near the equator.
If the pterygium grows beyond the limbus, it threatens a patient’s central vision, and surgery may be needed to remove the growth, which can result in a permanent scar.
• PINGUECULA is a yellowish-colored, elevated growth on the conjunctiva that is completely avoidable with proper sunwear protection. This condition usually occurs with people who spend a great deal of time outdoors, such as roofers or sports enthusiasts, who don’t protect their vision with proper sunwear.
THE AMD & CATARACT CONNECTION
Other ocular diseases that are linked to UV radiation exposure are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in the U.S. Patients with AMD gradually lose their central vision due to damage to the macula, the area of the retina that houses cone cells and provides our sharpest vision.
Cataracts are a clouding or opacity of the crystalline lens, which is normally clear. Exposure to UV wavelengths is linked to causing cataracts, which usually develop very slowly. Patients with cataracts describe their vision as being “milky” and need more light for clear vision. This makes night-time driving especially difficult. As with other ocular diseases related to UV light exposure, cumulative exposure is a key factor to cataract development.
• PHOTOKERATITIS is a painful eye condition caused by excessive exposure to UV light and is akin to having sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva. Like sunburn of the skin, photokeratitis often isn’t noticed by patients until several hours after exposure. This condition is preventable by wearing eye protection that blocks UVA and UVB wavelengths. It should be noted that ocular damage from UV radiation from artificial industrial UV-C sources, like arc lamps and lasers, can occur without the addition of filters based on the particular wavelengths produced by these devices.
“Snow blindness” is another term used for photokeratitis when the ocular damage is due to sunlight reflecting from snow and ice. Skiers can develop this condition, as 80% of the UV light from the sun reflects off of snow and ice and can cause damage to the cornea and conjunctiva.
The terms “arc eye” or “flash burns” also refer to photokeratitis that occurs if welders fail to use proper eye protection when working with a welder’s torch. Flash burns are painful conditions, but like other types of photokeratitis, can heal within days if treated appropriately, depending on the level of damage. However, if left untreated, photokeratitis conditions can become infected and even lead to vision loss.
As ECPs, you know the best way for your patients to avoid over-exposure of the eyes to UV radiation is to limit sun exposure, wear a hat with a brim, and—most important of all—wear sun lenses that offer 100% UVA/B protection.
— Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC
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