In 2008, the American Academy of Ophthalmology named July Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Safety Awareness Month to educate people on the importance of preventative measures. Although July is when the UV exposure is at its highest because it is the month that sees the most sun in the Northern Hemisphere, it is important to take the preventive measures you will learn about today and apply them year-round.

Today we will hear from a trusted Gonzaba primary care provider, Dr. Greg Gonzaba, to discuss the following topics: importance of UV safety, impacts and preventative measures for people with existing conditions and without. Gonzaba Medical Group wants to ensure you keep your eyes healthy and safe from UV exposure, especially if you are an individual who is pre-diabetic or has been diagnosed with diabetes.

How do UV Rays pose a risk to your health?

 

 

“UV Exposure to the eyes, especially to seniors can cause a few medical problems such as photokeratitis which is like a “sunburn” to the eye. Also, consistent UV exposure can exacerbate other eye problems such as eye problems that can make conditions like diabetic retinopathy worse.” – Dr. Greg Gonzaba

As Dr. Greg tells us, prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun can be especially harmful for older adults as our eyes become more sensitive with age. Some risks of prolonged UV eye exposure include:

• Cataracs
• Macular Degeneration
• Pterygium
• Eyelid cancers
• Dry eye and irritation

If you have pre-diabetes or have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is recommended you schedule your Diabetic Eye exam yearly. When living with diabetes, your eyes are extra sensitive and need regular exams to detect any irregularities early while intervention is still possible. Dr. Greg Gonzaba tells us that living with uncontrolled diabetes poses a risk to retinal damage blindness.

“Someone with diabetic eye problems exposed to UV light can make those problems worse.” – Dr. Greg Gonzaba

If you have not yet scheduled your Diabetic Eye Exam this year, we encourage you to call your trusted Gonzaba primary care provider today and take control of your healthcare. Let Gonzaba help you keep your eyes healthy and prevent any complications down the road.

 

When preparing for a Diabetic Eye Exam, here’s what to expect…

A Diabetic Eye Exam is specifically designed to detect and monitor eye problems related to diabetes including diabetic retinopathy, before they cause significant vision loss. This is a safe, painless, non-invasive, preventative procedure that takes less than an hour.

At your eye exam, your trusted Gonzaba Primary Care Provider will examine the health of your retina and the integrity of the blood vessels in your eye. They will be able to detect any changes in your eye that can be caused by diabetes before symptoms are noticeable to you.

For daily preventative measures, follow our tips below!

Similar to the way you protect your skin, you have to also remember to protect your eyes. You can think about some of these problems as being “sunburns” to your eyes as they are issues that arise from prolonged UV eye exposure.

Now that we have learned why you should take care of your eyes when under the sun, let’s take a look at the various ways to do that…

When heading out the door, grab your sunglasses! For your sunglasses to provide the proper protection to your eyes, make sure they block 100% of UV rays. Look for a label on them that either reads UV400, or 100% UVA/UVB protection. Additionally, consider wrap-around sunglasses to block light from all angles.

If you are going to spend time outside, consider wearing a hat. Preferably a wide-brim hat that will block the UV rays from above.

When walking outside, watch out for surfaces that reflect light. These include water, snow, and pavement. Avoid being near these areas as they will reflect the UV light into your eyes.

Lastly, in addition to taking care of your eyes with protective gear when stepping outside, Gonzaba Medical Group recommends regular preventative eye exams. If you are over the age of 65, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends scheduling a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years even if you are not experiencing any symptoms or vision problems.

Being proactive and scheduling these eye exams regularly can prevent serious conditions down the road such as vision loss. At Gonzaba Medical Group, we focus on preventive care for patients so we can increase the chances of early detection and management. We keep you healthy so you can keep doing the things you love.

---

Gonzaba Medical Group prides themselves on providing high quality healthcare to the San Antonio Seniors, prioritizing preventative care and educating our patients to the best of our ability. Remember to ask your primary care doctor before making any drastic lifestyle changes, so they can assist you in making the best decisions for your healthcare journey.
Thank you for trusting Gonzaba Medical.