If you already make an effort to protect your vision, you probably know that sunglasses are important to protect yourself from UV rays. This is even truer after you have cataract surgery performed. Learn more about why the eyes become more sensitive to UV radiation following your surgery and what you can do to protect yourself.
Post-Surgery
Following any kind of surgical procedure, your body will be more sensitive to UV radiation. In essence, the surgical incision will need protection from the sun while it's healing. Excessive UV radiation can cause scarring and potentially slow the healing process if you develop an eye sunburn, otherwise known as photokeratitis.
Lens Removal
Your eyes aren't immune to UV radiation and sunlight, but that doesn't mean that they're completely vulnerable. Certain parts of your eye help to protect you from excessive UV radiation, like the lens of the eye. This lens is removed during cataract surgery to fit you with an artificial, replacement intraocular lens.
These replacement lenses do the job of helping you to see just as well as your original lens did. In fact, many people report having their vision improve beyond what vision correction could provide them previously. This is because, for people who have vision problems like astigmatism, the faulty-shaped lens is being removed with a new, properly-shaped one. However, the new one won't provide as much UV protection. As a result, you need to take steps to protect your eyes for the rest of your life.
What To Do
If you take proper care of your eyes following surgery, you won't have to worry about sunburns or damage to your vision. Thankfully, taking care of your eyes is fairly easy.
The first thing you want to do is to buy a pair of sunglasses that protect you from 100% of UV radiation. If you already have a pair that you like, take it to your eye doctor's office to have it tested. If your lenses don't provide adequate protection, your doctor will show you a selection that will.
Secondly, avoid excessive sunlight in other ways. Stay indoors during the harshest light of the day if you can. If you need to go out, wear a hat or visor to block more sunlight.
Having your cataracts repaired can make a huge difference in your life and your vision. With your UV-protection preparation complete, you'll be able to see the world clearly and safely for years to come. Contact a company like the eye center inc for more information and assistance.
Share5 April 2018
After watching my mother navigate treatment for breast cancer in my early teens, I knew pretty much what to expect from my dad's diagnosis with prostate cancer. What I didn't know was how different chemotherapy and radiation can affect different people. My mother became very ill while my dad seemed to weather the treatments with few ill effects. I spent a long time researching the differences in treatments, types of chemotherapy, and how each one can react differently with the body. I created this blog to help others understand the same things, because I knew I couldn't be the only one unfamiliar with it. I hope it helps you if someone you love is facing treatment for any type of cancer.
