Mark Mattison-Shupnick, ABOM

Care of the eyes starts in childhood. Every parent instinctively protects their infant’s eyes from dirt and objects that might cause injury but not every parent understands that ultraviolet radiation effects are accumulated over a lifetime to the crystalline lens and the surrounding skin.

Because we’re living longer, those effects are more problematic so requiring treatment for a cataract is likely. After all, brunescent and cortical cataracts have been directly attributed to the cumulative effects of UVA and UVB, respectively. In first world countries, removal and replacement with an IOL is an expected and easily acquired luxury. In emerging nations, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness after refractive error. That requires our help. For ways to understand more, download “SIGHT The Story of Vision” from Amazon and iTunes, and then leave comments about the film for others. Also, download the free e-Book at storyofsight.com.

Be sure to teach patients the importance of sunwear at an early age and to always use lenses that include 100 percent UV absorption. Also, UV protection is not just for the prescription wearing public but also for everyone. Then choose frames that fit well and provide the kinds of eye and surrounding skin coverage that makes sense. For more about UV, visit 2020mag.com/ce.