Cloudy Weather is Pleasant, Cloudy Vision is Not

Most people wear sunglasses on a sunny day. But even on an overcast day, UV rays can pass through clouds and damage your eyes. And not just at the beach. Like sand and water, fresh snow can also reflect UV rays on a cloudy day, thereby increasing your risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and other serious eye conditions.

People are less likely to take precautions against the sun when it’s cloudy which adds to the risk. This leaves them open to any UV-amplifying mechanisms taking place.While it’s not always possible to prevent some causes of hazy vision, taking steps to care for your eyes can help prevent lifestyle-related causes. Here are some tips for healthy vision:

1. Protection from harmful UV Rays

Always wear sunglasses that provide broad-spectrum protection when you’re going out in the sun.  It’s great to be in the routine of putting sunglasses on when going out.Finding the perfect wrap-around goggles or sunglasses can be difficult but take your time to find one that fits and has 100% UV protection. Harmful UV rays are always present when the sun is out – even if it is behind clouds.

2. Use protective Eyewear when necessary

Wear protective eyewear when operating heavy machinery or engaging in activities like painting and home repairs. This will prevent irritants from entering the eyes and causing issues.

3. Pay attention to eye allergies

Cloudy weather can often come with winds, rain, and allergies. Eye allergies can cause dry eye, irritation, or infection if not treated. Be sure to not ignore eye allergy symptoms and to ask your doctor for the best solution.

4. Take care of Hygiene

The risk of infection from pollutants suspended in the air and other factors sharply increaseduring such weather. Wash your hands before putting on or taking out your contacts to reduce infection risk.

5. Stop smoking, it is injurious in various multitudes.

Although most people know that smoking is bad for your overall health and can lead to lung cancer, some people are unaware of the risk to their eyes. There’s been found to be an increased risk of several eye conditions and diseases in smokers. Some of these diseases include cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), uveitis, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome.By visiting your eye doctor regularly, you can prevent cloudy vision from affecting your daily activities.Bottom line is that even on overcast days; UV rays can pierce through clouds and cause eye damage.

So, don’t wait until eye trouble starts; the time for prevention is now. There are lots of uncontrollable issues that entail eye care, so controlling the things that you can is important.

Article: Cloudy Weather is Pleasant, Cloudy Vision is Not – Centre for Sight
Author: Dr Varun Malhotra   |   Jun 07 2016 | UPDATED 02:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.