Just about everyone knows how important UV protection is for their skin when going outside. Few people consider the effects that UV light has on their eyes, however. Just like skin, eyes can burn when exposed to too much sunlight, and prolonged exposure to UV light can lead to some very serious problems. We at Legacy Optical serving Hampton Bays, NY, and serving Suffolk County, NY, know a lot about the importance of sunglasses for UV protection.

The Danger of UV Light and Optical Damage

All light is processed by the eye to create visual data for the brain, but UV light can often be too intense for our eyes. This is particularly true when the sun is at its brightest, however, a good number of people who work around UV lights and have noticed the prolonged exposure has can affect their vision. Unfortunately, once damage has been done to the eye there aren't a lot of ways to repair it. While minor cases can heal on their own, more severe cases of optical damage may require surgery to repair.

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to prevent UV damage. Wearing a good pair of polarized sunglasses can help to prevent a lot of the damage that UV light causes. If you are an eyeglasses wearer, ask an eye doctor on our team about upgrading to lenses that have built-in UV protection. These glasses often turn darker when exposed to UV light, giving your eyes protection whenever you step out into the sun. If you work in a field that requires a lot of exposure to UV light, these glasses are good at blocking artificial UV light sources.

Contact Us for Eye Care from an Optometrist or Eye Doctor on Our Team

If you live in the Hampton Bays, NY, or Suffolk County, NY, area and you think you may have damaged your eyes with excess UV light, give our optometrist office a call at (631) 728-3132 Legacy Optical. We can schedule you an appointment to see an eye doctor on our team and get started on an eye care plan that will help protect your vision. We can help provide sunglasses and eyeglasses that can help protect your vision.