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Home » Article Library » What % of UV exposure would the average person receive by age 20?

What % of UV exposure would the average person receive by age 20?

May 15, 2016

Did you know?

At 20 years of age, the average person has received 80% of their life’s UV exposure.  Children have more transparent lenses in their eyes and more sensitive skin on their bodies.  As a result, they are at greater risk of experiencing adverse effects of over-exposure to UV light.  The effects of overexposure to UV light at a younger age may not show up until later in life with higher risk of cataracts and slow degeneration of the back layer of the eye, known as Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD).  Early protection is critical.

Foresight Eyecare is proud to launch Sunglass Cove!  With several brands including Ray Ban and Maui Jim, find the right combination of fashion and function.  The Foresight Eyecare team can help you find the sunglasses that look great and fit well.  The frame should be big enough to do its job, prevent UV light and glare from leaking in from the top or sides of the glasses.  The lens should give sharp detailed vision without distortion.  Which tint colour suits your lifestyle?  Are you a golfer?  A skiier?  How about cycling?  Different tints and coatings will enhance your performance depending on the activity.

UV protection is available in some clear lenses as well as sunglasses.   The choice can be confusing if you do not have some background information.   Not all lenses are equal in terms of UV protection.    E.g. cheaply made UV400 sunglasses will have a spray-on coating that will wear off with cleaning and give you a false sense of security.  Distortion from mass producing these lenses can also cause eyestrain.

Blue Light Hazard

Our children's generation is also exposed to a new hazard to the eyes – high energy blue light.

Almost all digital devices (such as smartphones, tablets, computers) as well as light emitting fixtures such as fluorescent lamps have light emitting diodes (LED) that radiate blue-violet wavelength light.  Blue light penetrates into deeper layers of the eye compared to other lights.  This can cause eyestrain, and research suggests long term exposure can also cause AMD.  Limiting screentime , especially before going to sleep, is also helpful for people who have problems sleeping.  Eyewear is available with blue light blocker coatings to reduce the effects of blue light.

Thank you for trusting your eyecare with us over the years.  The Foresight Eyecare team follows the government mandate to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  After December 2020 announcements made by the Alberta Government, our clinic is following the revised Infection Prevention and Control policy by the Alberta College of Optometrists.

Patients interested in obtaining eye exam services or eye care products can be seen by appointment only.  Please call ahead, and staff will arrange an appointment time and ask COVID-19 screening questions.  If you have any symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose or shortness of breath, we ask that you call or e-mail us and do not attend the clinic for your scheduled visit.   Within the clinic, please wear a mask and use the hand sanitizer at reception.  Our clinic complies with the City of Calgary bylaw requiring mask covering over the age of two years old.  For patients who are unable to wear a face covering due to medical reasons, the patient can be scheduled for an appointment at a time when minimal number of other patients are in the clinic such as at the beginning or end of the day to ensure appropriate physical distancing requirements.

We are using disposable disinfectant wipes on all surfaces and devices such as front desk counters, chairs, handles in exam rooms and waiting room.  All eyewear that have been touched by patients are continually being sanitized.   Any toys and magazines are stored at this time.  Examination areas are being sanitized with hospital grade disinfectant.  Debit and credit cards but NO CASH payments will be accepted.

COVID-19 symptoms are not always obvious.  We want to fend off this pandemic and minimize risk to our patients and the Foresight staff as front line health workers.   Contact that is closer than 2 m (6 feet) is to be avoided, with barriers in place when this cannot be avoided. We choose to continue to do our work and cautiously take care of our patients with compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience.   It is a challenging and new experience for many of us, so let‘s support each other and prevent virus spread!  Beyond 2020, our focus is on take care of you and keeping Clean Hands, Clear Heads and Open Hearts.   For more information, please refer to the following web pages or phone Health Link 811.

www.albertahealthservices.ca

www.collegeofoptometrists.ab.ca

Drs. Dianna Leong, Anh Bui, Andrew Chan