Advice

Selling Patients on the Importance of UV Protection

QUESTION: With summer just around the corner, how can I educate my patients about the importance of UV protection and convince them to choose protective eyewear?

By Gina Wesley, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O. Medina, Minn.

Answer: It's the perfect time to educate patients about the benefits of protecting their eyes against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Although it should be a year-round concern, many patients are unaware of the damaging effects of UV rays on ocular structures. It's your job to teach patients about the risk of UV exposure. Then tell them about the following types of protective eyewear that are available.

• Polarized sunglasses. Polarized lenses will protect your patients' eyes from the harmful effects of the sun and enhance their vision by reducing glare in almost any situation. These lenses often are touted for water sports and outdoor activities, but they're ideal for common daily activities, such as driving.
• Photochromic lenses. If patients are looking for the most versatile use of their spectacles, but don't want to abandon UV protection and visual comfort during the day, photochromic lenses may be the perfect choice for them. Photochromic lenses provide 100% UV protection and can be worn comfortably indoors and outdoors.
• Clip-on sun lenses. These lenses are best for patients who love their eyeglasses, but when driving they prefer a lens that's slightly darker than a photochromic lens. Polarized and nonpolarized options are available. Magnetic clips make it easier than ever to slip these lens covers on and off.
• UV treatment. UV protection can be added to almost any spectacle lens.
• Contact lenses. Several contact lenses offer some degree of UV protection. But in order to protect the entire ocular adnexa, recommend other forms of UV protection, such as wearing sunglasses in addition to contact lenses.

Don't Forget Children

Most of the impact-resistant lens materials used in children's eyeglasses have an effective UV blocker, but it's never too early to educate children about the importance of UV protection.

Most people are exposed to the majority of lifetime UV damage before age 18. Recommend good quality sunglasses for all children, even those who aren't in spectacles.

Educate and Protect

Remind patients that in addition to the risk of cataracts, UV damage also increases the chance for age-related macular degeneration and malignant growths later in life. Continually educating patients about the damage that UV light causes within the eye is key to reinforcing protective habits. With a variety of eyewear options, you can help each patient find the best fit for his lifestyle. nOD