Course: Open Your Eyes: Modern life and its effects on the eye

Section

General

No CPD Points

This programme takes a close look at UV light as one of the effects of our modern lifestyle on the eye.

Most people are aware of the harm exposure to UV light can have on the skin. However, the specific risks to eye health and recommended protective measures are commonly misunderstood. Overexposure to UV light is associated with cataracts and macular degeneration among other diseases, with new research focusing on the harmful effects of blue light.

In this episode we begin by talking to members of the public to gauge the level of public understanding before consulting with our experts. Dermatologist Ian Coulson explains how UV light damages cells and outlines the risk factors for skin cancer. Professor John Marshall distinguishes between the damage UV light can cause to the skin and the eye. He also articulates the differences between UV light and long and short wavelengths of blue light. He gives an indication of the time it takes for damage to occur and summarises methods of effective protection necessary for prevention.

This is one course in a series of four.

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Instructions: Clicking on the section name will show / hide the section.

Learning objectives

1.2.3 Understand the best way to initiate a discussion of the ocular impact of UV exposure and ocular and adnexal health.
2.1.8 Understand how to develop a useful rapport with the patient to offer the best advice regarding limiting potentially harmful environmental influences from shorter wavelength radiation.
6.1.1 Understand the role of shorter wavelength visible and UV light upon the eye tissues and adnexa.

Introduction (~2 mins)

This introduction is repeated throughout the four courses, you are only required to watch this once.

UV light (~20 mins)

References
URLBAD. Sun Awareness Downloadable Leaflets and Posters. [Accessed Jul 2020] URL Opens in a new window.
URLBlue Light - Prof John Lawrenson & Thierry Villette, The College of Optometrists, Online lecture videos C-52823. (Members only) URL Opens in a new window.
URLCancer Research UK. Skin cancer statistics (2015-2017) [Accessed Jul 2020] URL Opens in a new window.
URLCollege of Optometrists. Patient leaflet - Lifestyle and eyes. (Members only) [Accessed Jul 2020] URL Opens in a new window.
URLLawrenson J G, at al. (2017) The effect of blue-light blocking spectacle lenses on visual performance, macular health and the sleep-wake cycle: a systematic review of the literature. OPO. Volume 37. Issue 6. Pages 644-654. [Accessed Jul 2020] URL Opens in a new window.
URLUsing evidence in practice. The efficacy of blue-blocking spectacle lenses for visual comfort and as protection against macular disease. The College of Optometrists. October 2017 (members only) [Accessed Jul 2020] URL Opens in a new window.
URLWolffson JS. 2013. The benefits of UV-blocking contact lenses. OIP. 14(2). (Members only) [Accessed Jul 2020] URL Opens in a new window.
Behar-Cohen F, et al. 2014. Ultraviolet damage to the eye revisited: eye-sun protection factor (E-SPF®), a new ultraviolet protection label for eyewear. Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 8, 87-104. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S46189.
Dickinson C. September 2017. Blue light protection. Optician. Volume 254. Number 6621, pp 24-27.
Hamada S, et al. 2005. Eyelid basal cell carcinoma: non-Mohs excision, repair, and outcome. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 89 (8), 992-994.
Lerman S, et al. 1985. Further studies on the effects of UV radiation on the human lens. Ophthalmic Research. 17(6), 354–361
Lucas R. 2011. An epidemiological perspective of ultraviolet exposure - public health concerns. Eye and Contact Lens: Science and Clinical Practice. 37(4), 168-175.
Rene S, Rodriguez-Sains MD. 2005. The sun, the eyelids, and the eye. The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal. 23, 36-37.
Schafer JS, et al. 1996. Observed influence of clouds on ultraviolet-B radiation. Geophysical Research Letters. 23 (19), 2625-2628.
Stern RS. 2005. Proportion of lifetime UV dose received by age 18, what Stern et al actually said in 1986. 124, 1079-1080. doi:10.1111/j.0022-202X.2005.23710.x.

More information

DOCET would like to thank the following for their contribution to this programme:

Presenter (studio) - Sara Heaney

Reporter - Sankha Guha

Dr Ian Coulson, BSc MB BS FRCP, Consultant Dermatologist for North East Lancashire NHS Trust

Prof John Marshall, BSc PhD, Frost Professor of Ophthalmology, UCL