By Abby Chin, O.D.
In Camarillo, we are lucky to enjoy over 270 days of sunshine a year. Whether you’re spending your Saturday at the Farmers Market, hitting the trails at Wildwood Regional Park, or enjoying a round of golf at Sterling Hills, our outdoor lifestyle is part of what makes this community so special.
But a lifetime of Ventura County sunshine also calls for proactive eye protection. Just as we protect our skin with sunscreen, our eyes deserve that same attention.
Why Sun Protection Matters
Cumulative sunlight exposure can contribute to several eye conditions:
Cataracts and pterygium: UVA and UVB radiation are absorbed by the front structures of the eye and can contribute to oxidative damage, cataract formation, and abnormal tissue growth such as pterygium.
Macular health: High-energy visible light reaches the retina, where long-term oxidative stress may contribute to retinal aging and the progression of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Our Tips for Sun Safety
The right sunglasses can do more than shield your eyes from the sun. They can also improve comfort, reduce glare, and provide clearer vision for the activities you enjoy.
Look for UV protection: Choose sunglasses labeled UV400 or 100% UVA/UVB protection. Lens darkness alone does not determine how much UV protection a lens provides.
Consider polarization: Polarized lenses can significantly reduce glare reflected from surfaces such as roads, water, and car hoods, making them a great option for driving and outdoor activities.
Explore prescription sun lenses: If you wear prescription glasses, prescription sun lenses can provide the vision correction you need while keeping your eyes comfortable and protected outdoors.
Choose the right lens tint: Different tints can be suited to different activities and lighting conditions. Your eye care team can help you select a tint based on how and where you use your sunglasses.
Protect children’s eyes, too: Children’s clear internal lenses allow more light to reach the retina, making early sun-protection habits especially important. It’s never too early to start.
Wear sunglasses year-round: Cloudy or overcast conditions don’t eliminate UV exposure. Make eye protection a daily habit, even on marine-layer days.
Protect Your Vision for the Future
By combining decades of clinical expertise with advanced technology, we provide a level of preventative care that goes beyond a basic vision test. We don’t just help you see better today; we work to protect your sight for a lifetime.
Whether you’re due for your annual eye examination or looking for prescription sunglasses, our team is happy to help!
About the Author
Abby Chin, O.D. is one of our great optometrists at Dean Amundsen, O.D. Dr. Chin specializes in comprehensive primary eye care and ocular disease management and is currently accepting new patients of all ages.
Ready to Schedule Your Next Examination? Schedule your examination or call/text our office at (805) 482-1136.