With summer approaching it is important to remember your sun protection. The primary danger from the sun is in the form of UV radiation. The effects of UV are cumulative and can contribute to eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration as well as corneal and conjunctival changes.

The following top five tips from the American Optometric Association can help prevent eye damage from exposure to UV radiation:

1. Wear protective eyewear any time the eyes are exposed to UV rays, even on cloudy days and during the winter.
2. Look for quality sunglasses or contact lenses that offer good protection. Sunglasses or protective contact lenses should block out 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
3. Check to make sure sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions or imperfections.
4. Purchase gray-colored lenses because they reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects to provide the most natural color vision.
5. Don’t forget protection for young children and teenagers, who typically spend more time in the sun than adults and thus are at greater risk for damage.