CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness has declared May UV Awareness Month. The goal is both to educate the public about the dangers of UV exposure to our eyes, and to provide information on how people can protect themselves. According to Prevent Blindness, everyone should wear both sunglasses and a brimmed hat while outside. UV damage to the eyes has been linked to the development of macular degeneration, cataract, and cancer, and can cause corneal sunburn. Consumers should choose sunglasses that reduce glare, filter out 100 percent of UV rays, protect the eyes, are comfortable to wear, and do not distort colors.

Although polarized lenses cut reflected glare, polarization has nothing to do with UV absorption, so consumers should always check labels to make sure their polarized sunglasses are also providing UV protection.
Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, said, “As the weather starts to turn warm and we spend more time outdoors, it’s important to remember never to leave the house without UV protection for the eyes. Consistently protecting our eyes today can help save sight in the future.”

For more information on UV protection and UV Awareness Month, visit Prevent Blindness’ dedicated webpage.