As summer temperatures begin to soar, so too does the amount of work conducted in bright, high-heat and humid environments. At work and at home alike, people take precautions this time of year to protect their skin from the sun’s damaging rays by donning sunscreen; they protect their heads and faces from heat and sweat by wearing hats or headbands. Protecting the eyes properly from harsh summer elements should not be overlooked.
Repeated or extended exposure to bright light, whether natural or artificial, can cause strain and damage to the eyes. Over time, exposure to the sun’s invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to macular degeneration — a leading cause of vision loss for older Americans — as well as cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids, corneal sunburn and other temporary and permanent vision problems.