It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And believe it or not, it’s the perfect time to think about protecting your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays (UV). Accurate Optical principal optometrist, Dr. John F. Lynch Jr., encourages patients to show some holiday cheer to their eyes this year — in the form of a pair of sunglasses. “The sun’s damaging effects are a concern year ‘round regardless of what the temperature is outside,” said Lynch.

In addition to visible light, the sun gives off ultraviolet radiation. This radiation is divided into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The earth’s ozone layer absorbs UV-C radiation, leaving sunglasses to protect against UV-A and UV-B rays.

Studies indicate that long-term exposure to UV-A and UV-B can contribute to the development of cataracts; retinal problems; benign growths on the eye’s surface; cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes; and photokeratitis, a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.

“The sun’s brightness creates a disabling glare that interferes with comfortable vision and the ability to see clearly,” adds Lynch. It causes eyes to squint and to water. This glare occurs on cloudy as well as sunny days. On snowy days, sunglasses reduce the reflected glare that occurs when the sun’s light bounces off snow.

Children and teenagers are particularly susceptible to the sun’s damaging rays because they typically spend more time outdoors than adults and the lenses of their eyes are more transparent than those of adults. Thus, this allows more UV radiation to reach the retinas of children and teenagers. The retina is the light sensitive layer at the back of the eyes.

The effects of UV radiation are cumulative, so it’s important to develop good protection habits early in life.
Accurate Optical prides itself on providing the latest technology to examine possible effects from UV rays. Some of that impressive technology includes digital retinal photography and the Optos optomap® Retinal Exam. Retinal photography, which is performed on every eye exam patient as a courtesy, allows the optometrist to evaluate the retina (the back of the eye) as well as the overall health of the eye. The state-of-the-art Optos optomap® Retinal Exam helps doctors get a more comprehensive view of the retina and may help detect abnormalities or signs of disease.

With both technologies, the doctors and staff are able to archive results in order to compare a patient’s images from year to year. Both the digital retinal photography and optomap® are important tools for the screening and diagnosis of eye conditions, such as retinal detachment and age-related macular degeneration, and can also indicate evidence of non-eye disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers.  

Accurate Optical is also pleased to offer the most innovative products for the ultimate in UV protection for eyewear. Just as important as sunscreen for your skin, UV protective sunglasses are equally as necessary for blocking UV damage to your eyes. With lens technology such as UV tint, Transitions (the lenses that change to a dark tint while outside and back to clear while indoors) and Coppertone polarized lenses, there are plenty of UV protection options. Accurate Optical has the largest selection of frames, lenses, sunglasses and contact lenses on the Shore to provide patients with the best quality products. And, with its own on-site lens manufacturing lab servicing all locations, its technicians can often fabricate lenses for same or next-day service.

So what sets Accurate Optical apart from its competitors? A few things. First and foremost would be its experienced, well-trained staff — some of whom have been working for the company for 20, 30, even 40 years. Aside from the fact that these people are skilled practitioners, craftsman and experts at their job, patients also enjoy seeing the same faces year after year. It gives them the sense that someone else cares about their eyes as much as they do.  
What also makes Accurate Optical stand out is its commitment to taking care of its patients. Regardless of the job, the patient always comes first and patient satisfaction is paramount. By striving to provide the best experience possible to each patient at every visit,  Accurate Optical stands behind its commitment of excellence.

Accurate Optical also takes being called the “Best Of the Eastern Shore” for Eyewear Service by the readers of Metropolitan Magazine  very seriously. Its proud display of awards at the entrance of the office serves as a reminder to their patients that they made the right decision to trust their eyes to Accurate Optical.

 

Give yourself the gift of healthy vision with a great pair of sunglasses — your eyes will love you for it. Or consider giving the gift of sight by purchasing Accurate Optical gift certificates this holiday season. For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit the Web site at www.accurateoptical.net.

Accurate Optical, Azar Eye Institute Building, 31519 Winterplace Pkwy., Ste. 2, Salisbury, Md., 410-749-1545