Sunglasses Prevent Skin Cancer

Memorial Day is this weekend, which for many means the beginning of summer fun. Time spent in the pool, on the beach, hiking, boating and even at backyard barbecues means exposure to the sun.

That exposure can have many negative effects on our skin, including the risk of skin cancer. One often-overlooked area of our skin that maintains a high risk of skin cancer is our eyelids. It may come as a surprise but up to 10% of all skin cancers occur on the eyelids, specifically the lower lid (skincancer.org). This is because the eyelid skin is incredibly delicate and often unprotected from the sun's harmful rays. 

Protecting the eyelid skin is easy - and stylish. While slathering on moisturizers with SPF 15 or higher helps protect the delicate eyelid skin, wearing sunglasses is the most effective way to keep eyelids safe from the sun. There are a few things to remember when selecting sunglasses, especially face shape. 

Here are a few guidelines from eyewear experts:

- Oval face: Square or cat eye frames

- Round face: rectangular frames

- Square face: rounder oval, cat eye frames

- Triangular or heart-shaped face: frames with a straight, flat top

Once you have determined the best style of frame for your face shape, you will then select the lens. Dr. A or Dr. Doan will help you determine the best lens for your needs during a comprehensive exam and sunglasses fitting. They will guide you through the process of selecting:

- A lens with adequate UV protection, blocking 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. 

- The best lens color for your needs. Gray lenses reduce brightness without distorting color, brown lenses creates greater color contrast, yellow lenses are best for both contrast and depth perception.

- A polarized lens if you spend time on water or driving - polarized lenses reduce the glare of reflected light on water.

- A frame that fits comfortably and securely on your face, ensuring that UV rays are properly blocked.

- A lens that shields the eyes and surrounding areas to protect the delicate eyelid skin as well as the eye. 

Protecting your eyes from the harm of UV rays is easy with sunglasses. Not only do sunglasses prevent damage to the eye but they can prevent skin cancer from developing on the eyelids. By determining the best sunglasses frames and lenses for your needs, eye2eye's staff can help you be protected from the sun's harmful rays all summer long. 

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend! 

Source: skincancer.org

Don't Suffer from Allergy Eyes

Despite the early March snow (that was more of rain), allergy season is right around the corner. If you are an allergy sufferer and find yourself with itchy, watery, red eyes - we have some great tips for you from Dr. Dora to help prevent and lessen your allergy symptoms this season.

1.) What is the best way to combat spring allergies - especially the itchy, watery eyes?

-Always wash hands and face after coming in from outdoors. 

-Wash hair more often as pollen can linger there and when you lie down on your pillow or couch, your face can rub around in it.

-Replace older makeup

-Start taking oral medicine as soon as the symptoms start or pollen levels begin to peak

2.) How far in advance should one begin treatment to lessen the symptoms?

-Ideally, once the pollen count starts to creep up, then one should start taking their oral allergy medicine as well as their allergy eye drops.  The earlier the better.

-People new to the area sometimes feel that they have a cold, and after 1-2 years, they realize the pattern, again, the earlier the better when starting treatment!

-There are great prescription eye drops you may use once a day to reduce and/or limit eye allergies. Contact lens wearers may still wear contacts if they wait 10 minutes after inserting the drops.

3.) Can I still wear my contacts during allergy season?

-For mild sufferers, simply limiting the amount of hours one wears the contacts helps. 

-Throw out contact more frequently or use one day disposable contacts during allergy season so that you insert a fresh, pollen free lens each day.

-For those who have moderate to severe allergies, discontinuing contact lenses when the pollen is at its peak cuts down on the pollen "sticking" on the lens and staying on the eye all day.

4.) When should I see a doctor about my allergy eyes?

Again, preventative measures will help cut down on the symptoms, as once allergies flare up, it's takes longer and more medicine to quiet things down.

5.) Any general advice regarding eye allergies/warning signs of something worse?

If you have pain, decreased vision, or redness that gets worse, it could be signs of other eye issues and one should see their doctor right away.

6.) What about in kids? What how can we prevent the symptoms of eye allergies in children?

-Be sure to encourage them wash their hands and face after recess or coming in from outdoors. 

-Have them change their clothes when they return home for the day.

-Keep bedroom windows closed during peak pollen days.

-Change pillow case if kids did not wash hair that day.

We hope Dr. Dora's advice helps you minimize your symptoms this allergy season!