July is UV Safety Month and while we may we aware of what exposure to high UV levels can do to our skin, it has just a serious impact on our eyes.

Dr. Chryssa McAlister, a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist in Ontario shares more here.

“While UV exposure is something that can really affect almost every part of the eye, eyelid cancers are one of the common skin cancers we see that are definitely related to UV exposure. You can get cataracts or macular degeneration, those are both diseases of older people but we think it’s life time UV exposure that really contributes to getting those diseases.”

McAlister recommends wearing sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, as well as hats to help block the sun.

Outdoor workers are particularly at high risk of UV and other damaging factors and advises them to wear shatterproof, wrap-around eye protection.

For more on the UV affects on our eyes and ways to avoid them, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.