In the scorching summer sun, many young people wear a pair of sunglasses, which not only protect against the sun but also showcase their fashion taste. In the eyes of many elderly people, wearing sunglasses in summer is something that fashion – chasing young people do. However, in fact, summer sun protection is equally important for the elderly, as it can effectively prevent the occurrence of certain eye diseases.
Excessive ultraviolet (UV) rays directly hitting the eyes in summer can cause corneal edema, leading to symptoms such as tearing and pain, which affect vision. According to a report in a foreign authoritative ophthalmology journal, prolonged exposure to the sun can prematurely trigger “age – related macular degeneration (AMD)”, which is one of the main factors causing vision loss in middle – aged and elderly people. Moreover, for patients with eye diseases such as cataracts, keratitis, conjunctivitis, and retinal detachment, wearing sunglasses can promote the recovery of the diseases and bring sufficient coolness and protection in the hot summer.
When choosing sunglasses, the elderly had better select lenses that can block UV rays. They must carefully check the labels, because a higher price does not necessarily mean stronger protection. The elderly can choose different sunglasses for different occasions. For example, when fishing, polarized sunglasses should be chosen, which can eliminate strong light from all directions and make the vision clearer. When the elderly go hiking in the suburbs, gray or brown sunglasses are the best choices for UV protection.
There are also some precautions for wearing sunglasses. When crossing the road or entering a shady place, the sunglasses should be taken off in time. This is because when moving from a bright place to a darker place or to a place with dense traffic, the eyes need an adaptation process, which easily leads to dizziness and blurred vision. Taking off the sunglasses in time is safer. The time for wearing sunglasses should not be too long. It is recommended to take them off and rest for a while every one or two hours, and gently massage the around the eyes. Otherwise, symptoms such as headache, irritability, blurred vision, and even vision loss may occur. The lenses of the elderly are aged and swollen, so they cannot wear sunglasses for a long time. Otherwise, it will cause the accumulation of the iris root, leading to the blockage of aqueous humor outflow and the increase of intraocular pressure. In addition, the elderly with glaucoma, retinitis, color blindness, and night blindness are not suitable for wearing sunglasses.
In addition to protecting the eyes with sunglasses, it should also be noted that UV rays reach their maximum intensity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At this time, the elderly should try to reduce going out or avoid places that can reflect light, such as watersides and sandlands, as these places will increase the chance of light projecting onto the eyes.