New Research Finds Greater UV Exposure To Eyes During Morning And Late Afternoon Between Spring And Autumn

New research conducted in Japan found that during Spring, Summer and Fall, Ultraviolet (UV) exposure to the eye during early morning and late afternoon was approximately double that of the mid-morning/early afternoon period that is most often thought of as peak sun exposure time.

Using a specially designed model to measure and record the amount of UV-B rays entering the eye from sunrise to sunset, researchers at Kanazawa Medical University concluded that eyes are at greater risk to UV exposure at times that many individuals may not be taking proper steps to protect their eyes. Findings from the study were recently presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society in Osaka.

“While it has long been thought that the risk of UV exposure to the eyes is greatest during the mid-day hours, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, this study suggests that from Spring through Fall, when the days get longer, the incidence of exposure is actually greatest earlier and later in the day,” says lead researcher Professor and Chairman Hiroshi Sasaki, Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Sensory Organ Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University.

“This study further demonstrates the need for all day UV protection of your eyes,” adds Cristina Schnider, O.D., director, Medical Affairs, Vistakon®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. “Over the long-term, the sun can cause irreversible harm to all structures of the eye and surrounding tissue that are left unprotected or under-protected. The most complete measure of UV protection can be achieved with a combination of UV-absorbing sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and UV-blocking contact lenses.”

About the Study

Research was conducted on the campus of Kanazawa Medical University, the only private medical university located on the side of the Sea of Japan, in September and November 2006. After incorporating a tiny UV sensor into the ocular segment of a specially designed model, UV-B rays entering the eye were measured from sunrise to sunset. The visual line of the model was set at 15 degrees below the horizontal line (Normal line of sight when human walks) and its face followed the path of the sun from East to West, and was placed at the lower front side of the sun all the time.

The results were recorded, coupled with various conditions, such as solar altitude (position of the sun relative to the horizon) and the direction of the model’s visual line (angle) or facial or head shape, in a relative manner.

On September 21, around the time of the Autumnal Equinox (one of two times a year when the sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of approximately equal length), the two highest points in the UV exposure test to the eye were recorded around 9:00 AM and from 2:00-3:00 PM. UV exposure to the eye for four hours from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM recorded nearly half of the highest UV exposure points in the morning and evening.

As the solar angle decreased (moving toward Winter), peak UV exposure to the eyes moved back toward mid-day. On November 21, one of the highest points of exposure occurred around noon under the same conditions as the previous test.

UV protection is just as important during the Winter, cautions Dr. Schnider. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while UV radiation is generally lower during winter months, snow reflection may double an individual’s overall exposure. The WHO advises that fresh snow may reflect as much as 80 percent of UV rays, compared to other surfaces such as, grass, soil and water, which reflect less than 10 percent of UV radiation; dry beach sand (about 15 percent), and sea foam (about 25 percent).

UV Protection – Why Sunglasses Alone Are Not Enough

Ultraviolet radiation reaches the eye not only from the sky above but also by reflection from surfaces such as water, sand and pavement. While most sunglasses can help block UV rays that enter through the lenses, most frame styles do not prevent unfiltered rays from reaching the eyes from the sides, top, and/or bottom of the glasses. “Because of this, some sunglasses block as little as 50 percent of all UV radiation from reaching the eyes,” explains Dr. Schnider. Similarly, hats with brims offer no protection from UV rays reflected up from surfaces such as pavement, sand, and water.

Added Protection for Contact Lens Wearers

UV-blocking contact lenses offer unique protection against the direct and reflected rays that pass through the cornea into the eye, and are not blocked by sunglasses or hats. “This provides contact lens wearers with an important added measure of protection,” says Dr.Schnider.

However, not all contact lenses offer UV protection, and, of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels. Among contact lens brands, only ACUVUE® ADVANCE™, ACUVUE® ADVANCE™ for ASTIGMATISM, and ACUVUE® OASYS™ Contact Lens brands carry the Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses from the American Optometric Association’s Commission on Ophthalmic Standards. The lenses are the only ones to offer the highest level of UV-blocking†* available, blocking more than 90 percent of UVA rays and 99 percent of UVB rays that reach the lens. On average, contact lenses without UV blocking block approximately 10 percent of UV-A radiation and 30 percent of UV-B radiation.

Although UV-blocking contact lenses provide important added protection for patients, they should not be viewed as a stand-alone solution. “Contact lenses should always be worn in conjunction with high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat,” says Dr.Schnider.

The study was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson K.K. Vision Care Company (Tokyo)