WEARING SUNGLASSES- A FASHION OR A PROTECTION

When it comes to the use of sunglasses and lenses, some today may still see it as a fashion trend. This is not a new campaign however, for the use of glasses but a product of the latest research on vision care and eye exposure to radiation. From the study a great nexus was found between glass wear and vision protection. The research as published in the journal JAMA OPHTHALMOLOGY is as follows:

Where you live, how much time you spend in the sun and whether or not you wear sunglasses or not may all indirectly contribute to your risk of glaucoma and cataract over the course of a lifetime, according to new research. All of these factors may increase the likelihood of exfoliation syndrome (XFS), the leading cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma and increased risk of cataract complications. XFS (also known as pseudoexfoliation syndrome) produces white flecks on the lens, which can lead to a blockage of the trabecular meshwork. While the majority of cases of XFS are known to be associated with mutations in the LOXL1 gene, the underlying mechanisms of the condition remain poorly understood.

Previous studies had shown that environmental factors also played a role, but detailed studies of lifetime exposure to sunlight had not been evaluated. In the recent study, nine institutions in the US and Israel looked at a total of 185 subjects with XFS over the age of 60, and 178 control subjects. By looking at where the participants lived and providing a weighted average value for solar exposure over a lifetime, the researchers were able to gather data on the link between sunlight exposure and the risk of XFS. The study found that, averaged over a lifetime, each additional hour spent outdoors in the summer increased the risk of XFS by 4%. In the US, participants who wore sunglasses during summertime over their lifetime saw their risk of XFS drop by 2%, and those working over water or snow were also at increased risk – there were too few participants in the Israel study with history for analysis. There was no association between wearing a brimmed hat and XFS. “Lifetime outdoor activities may contribute to XFS,” said Dr Louis Pasquale, lead author and director of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Glaucoma Center of Excellence. He explained: “The association between work over snow or water and the lack of association with brimmed hat wear suggests that ocular exposure to light from reflective surfaces may be an important type of exposure in XFS etiology.” Dr Pasquale added: “If confirmed in other studies, there could be reason to consider more widespread use of UV-blocking eyewear to help prevent XFS.”