Yearly Archives: 2022

There is nothing like a beautiful sunny day. The warm sun on your face can really uplift your mood. But your eyes probably feel differently. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause serious damage to our eyes as we age. And unfortunately, ultraviolet rays don’t take a holiday. They can damage your eyes all year long, even in the winter.

Many people only think to grab a pair of sunnies when they’re hitting the beach or a long day in the sun. But for the best protection, you should keep a pair of sunglasses with you all year long. It’s a good idea to keep a pair in your glove compartment for car use and anytime you’re outside for an extended period of time, no matter what time of year.

Thankfully, a good pair of sunglasses can provide the protection you need (and might even make you look a little cooler).

But with so many sunglass shapes, colors and sizes, it can be difficult to figure out which shades look best on you.

If you’re looking for a few tips, here’s a quick guide on what to look for:

UVA vs. UVB

Ultraviolet light comes in two types of radiation – UVA and UVB. These rays are responsible for skin cancer, wrinkles and eye problems like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. A high-quality pair of sunglasses will protect your eyes against both types of light. If the glasses aren’t labeled as protecting against both, they most likely don’t. Make sure to check (or ask your doctor) about frames that filter both. You can also visit a helpful site similar to https://lowcostglasses.co.uk/, where they sell high-quality eyeglasses at a cheap price.

Size

Uncomfortable sunglasses won’t do you much good since you probably won’t wear them much. Find the right kind of glasses to fit your face. Frames that are too narrow could cause headaches and irritation – but if they’re too big, it could be hard to keep them on. Try on lots of pairs to find the best fit before you buy. Your eye specialist can adjust the arms a bit to be a little more or less snug, too.

Polarized lenses

During your search for sunglasses, you’ll probably run across some with polarized lenses, which block the visible rays reflected off a flat surface such as water, snow or asphalt. If you ski, are active outdoors or live by the water, polarized lenses might be a good fit. For some, however, the lenses can cause a distorting look. The best way to decide if you like these or not is to try them on.

Other protection

Sunglasses aren’t the only thing that can protect your eyes during the summer. A wide-brimmed hat or visor will help keep the sunlight off your face, protecting your eyes and the skin on your face and neck from the dangerous UV rays.

Prescription

If you wear glasses or contacts, you might want to think about prescription sunglasses. These are great options if you wear glasses. You can just pop on your prescription glasses when needed and switch to regular frames when indoors. You can also check out transition glasses, which have become more popular in recent years.

Ready to find your perfect shades?

Whether you get your sunglasses from an eye doctor or your local drug store, finding the right pair that mixes comfort, style and protection mean your eyes have a better chance of avoiding sun-related health problems. But we can help guide you to find the perfect fit and frame for your lifestyle. Ask us about prescription sunglasses or transition shades, too. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.utaheyecenters.com/

Our eyes help us to see the world around us. They make it possible for us to drive, read the written word and observe the beauty of Mother Nature. They’re also incredibly durable. However, they aren’t invincible. Ask yourself, are you taking care of your eyes the best way you can? Afterall, we only get one set during our lifetime.

Here’s a closer look at some bad habits that can cause damage to your eyes over time. The good news? They are easy to avoid.

Not wearing sunglasses. Every time you go outside, your eyes are exposed to the sun’s powerful rays. This includes the winter and times when its cloudy. These rays don’t just damage your skin, they can negatively impact the health of your eyes as well. While you can’t slap on sunscreen for your eyes, you can protect them from harmful UV-rays by wearing sunglasses. Keep a pair by your keys so you remember to grab them each day. Or keep a pair in your car’s glove compartment. Soon, wearing sunglasses will feel like second nature and you’ll probably feel some relief from your eyes. We can help you select a great pair that will provide the protection your eyes need. You can opt for prescription sunglasses, too!

Staring at electronic screens. Most of us stare at screens all day long. Modern work involves spending long periods of time looking at electronic screens. Whether you’re writing emails to colleagues or using a smartphone to catch up on the latest news, all of that screen time causes strain. There’s actually a name for this condition: computer vision syndrome. If your job requires you to work at a computer for lengthy periods of time, make sure to take frequent breaks and look away from your workspace whenever possible. Be aware of how much time you spend looking at screens each day and make sure you allocate time to give your eyes a proper break. You should also turn down the brightness on your computer and phone screen to give your eyes some relief. Think about spending a few hours electronics-free each day, too.

Sleeping with your contacts in. No matter which kind of contacts you wear, follow all usage guidelines and recommendations. It’s vital for keeping your eyes healthy. There are many people who either forget to take their contacts out when they sleep or don’t think sleeping in contacts can damage their eyes. However, contacts limit the amount of oxygen our eyes receive. At night, our eyes get even less oxygen. If you’re sleeping with contact in, the decreased amount of oxygen can mean your eyes can’t fight infections as well. Shorter term, it can also cause scratched corneas, red eyes and eye pain. We can help you with the proper care and wear of your contacts.

Smoking. We know smoking and vaping are bad for our health, but they’re also bad for your eye health. Smoking is linked to increase risk for multiple eye disease, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. In fact, smokers are four times more likely to lose vision compared to non-smokers. Quitting the habit, no matter how long you’ve smoked, can drastically cut down on these risks.

Poor eating and drinking habits. You are what you eat. Turns out, your eyes are what you eat, too. If you’re not getting proper nutrition, you eye sight can also suffer. A well-rounded diet is a great way to prevent many eye diseases and keep your whole body health. Likewise, not drinking enough water is also harmful for your eyes. Without proper hydration, you eyes cannot produce lubricating tears. This can cause dry and puffy eyes.

Have any vision concerns? We’re here to help. And don’t forget, if it’s time to schedule your annual eye exam or stock up on contacts, contact the team at Utah Eye Centers today: (801) 476-0494.

Now that 2021 is in full swing, you’ve likely already set a few goals for the new year. While you may not have thought about it, there are several New Year’s resolutions you can make that will benefit your eye health. Here are six we recommend:

Schedule regular eye exams for your children — and you. Many serious eye issues can be prevented or treated successfully if they are detected early.

Do not wear your contacts longer than recommended. How long do you wear your contacts? If you wear your contacts longer than recommended, you run the risk of getting eye infections as well as developing serious eye diseases. Around one-third of people in one survey said they sleep or nap in their contacts, exceeding the daily usage recommendation. Yet keeping contacts in your eyes too long — or while you sleep — puts you at greater risk of harming your eyes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Do not reuse contact solution. Always use fresh solution. Do not re-use solution or use expired solution or solution that’s past its recommended use date.

Wear quality sunglasses. Look for quality glasses that provide 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Take visual breaks to avoid eye strain. If you spend a significant amount of time on a computer, tablet, smartphone or another screen, remember the 20/20-20/20 Rule. This means looking up from your work every 20 minutes to an object 20 feet or more away for at least 20 seconds. Doing this can dramatically reduce the strain on your eyes.

Eat healthy foods and take your vitamins and supplements. Multiple studies show that eating healthy meals and snacks and taking vitamins daily as well as supplements could help decrease your chances of developing an eye condition or disease.

Questions about your eye health? We’re here to help. Give us a call at (801) 476-0494.