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The Doctor Is In...
Play It Safe This Summer; Protect Your Eyes
Dr. Jack Smith
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Clinical and Program Policy and Acting Chief Medical Officer, TRICARE Management Activity
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Here at TRICARE, we would like to remind you that the best way to prevent eye injury is to always wear appropriate eye protection. In addition to the proper safety eyewear, early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are essential for maintaining good vision at every stage of life.
Your eyes need extra protection in the summer months, and long-term ultraviolet exposure may lead to cataracts. Here are some tips for protecting your eyes from ultraviolet-related damage:
- Wear a brimmed hat.
- Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. (UVA is radiation in the area of the ultraviolet spectrum that extends from about 320 to 400 nanometers [nm] in wavelength, and causes tanning and contributes to aging of the skin. UVB is radiation in the area of the ultraviolet spectrum that extends from about 280 to 320 nm in wavelength, and is primarily responsible for sunburn, aging of the skin and skin cancer.)
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around your temples for better protection, or goggles if you spend time in the water.
- Protect your eyes when ultraviolet light is most intense, usually from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Protect your eyes whenever you’re outside for a prolonged period—even when it’s gray and overcast.
- Don’t forget the kids—protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses, too!
In addition to sunglasses for ultraviolet protection, you should wear safety glasses whenever working with any tool that might cause debris to get in your eyes: lawn mowers, leaf blowers and chain saws, for example.
If you have questions about your TRICARE vision benefit, please read the vision benefit fact sheet or contact Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445. Additionally, a Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator may be able to provide you with more information, and special vision programs may exist at military treatment facilities (MTFs). Please contact the closest MTF for specific information.
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