During the hot weather of summer, don’t forget to protect your eyes from Ultraviolet (UV) damage, says the BC Association of Optometrists (BCAO).

“People know to put on sunscreen to protect their skin from UV radiation but many don’t know that protecting their eyes from the sun is just as important,” Dr. McDougall, a B.C. optometrist, said in a BCAO press release.

Environment Canada is predicting above-average temperatures this July and August, which will potentially expose British Columbians to higher levels of UV radiation from the sun. UV radiation can damage the cornea, lens or retina and is linked to a number of eye disorders, including cataracts, macular degeneration and cancer.

“Explore your options for protective eyewear,” said Dr. McDougall. “Eyewear does not have to be expensive to be effective. But a lifetime of exposure to UV radiation can be costly.”

BCAO suggests a number of UV-protection options:

• Properly fitted sunglasses with a UV rating: Sunglasses should fit close to your face or wrap around the temples to reduce light from the side. Be sure the lenses offer UV protection.

• Prescription sunglasses: Many people who work outdoors choose tinted or polarized prescription lenses that provide 100% UV protection. The bigger the lens and the tighter it fits to your face, the better. Preferably, the lens wraps around the side of your head to prevent UV-light penetration from the top and sides.

• Ultraviolet treatments: Plastic lenses can be treated with an invisible coating that provides UV protection but it must be applied before anti-reflective or scratch-resistant coatings. Usually, the coating is requested when ordering lenses.

• Polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate lenses are not only lighter and thinner than ordinary lenses, they also offer 100% UV-protection. This type of lens is a good choice for people who spend the majority of their time outside. Polycarbonate lenses are much less scratch resistant then other lenses and may require extra care or a scratch resistant coating.

• Clip-on or magnetic shades: Many manufacturers of prescription glass frames are now creating frames that come with matching clip-on or magnetic sunglasses. But while clip-on and magnetic shades are definitely a convenient option and do provide UV protection, they are not a replacement for properly fitting sunglasses because of the UV-light penetration from around the lenses.

• Slip-overs: Some manufacturers have designed attractive, wrap-around sunglasses that fit over prescription eyewear. With today’s smaller frame styles, the slip-overs provide more UV protection than clip-on styles or sunglasses that don’t wrap around.

For those who wear contact lenses, some manufacturers now make lenses with a level of UV protection. Ask your optometrist what options may be best for you.

For more information on eye health, visit www.whatcouldbemoreimportant.com.