Ultra violet (UV) radiation has become a problem for women of all ages. You know this powerful radiation affects your delicate skin, but it also affects our eyes. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to severe eye damage and lifelong eye problems including temporary vision loss, cataracts, and macular degeneration. By abiding by the following tips, you can help protect yourself from risk:

Invest in sunglasses. When choosing sunglasses, be sure to look for a label that reads UV 400 or 100 percent UV protection. The lenses used in these sunglasses block 99-100 percent of UV radiation. Also, check to see that your sunglasses wrap around to your temple. Having full coverage leaves no room for the sun’s rays to sneak in.

Wear a hat. Buy a hat with a wide brim. The brim helps to shade out the sun and block about half of the sun’s rays. Wearing sunglasses along with your hat gives you double the protection.

“Weather” or not … the sun is shining or the clouds are out, be sure to still use sun and vision protection. When the weather is cool and overcast, the sun’s rays can still manage to pass through the clouds.

Avoid the strongest rays of the day. The sun’s rays are at the peak from mid-morning to early afternoon. If you can avoid being outside during these hours, you can reduce your risk for eye damage.

When tanning, ALWAYS use protective goggles. You know you shouldn't be using them, as tanning beds are harmful enough to your skin, but if you choose to use a tanning bed, always wear goggles to protect your eyes from the bulbs that emit UVA and UVB rays. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), repeated sun exposure to the eyes before the age of 30 can increase the chances of eye cancer by up to 70 percent.

NEVER look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun causes the most extreme damage. Retinal burn, along with total blindness, can occur and can leave lasting effects.

Stay safe and always wear eye protection to keep your vision perfect!