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Seattle UV Eye Protection: Sunglasses Guide

Sunglasses do more than elevate your style—they’re essential armor against UV damage. At Cannon EyeCare in Seattle, we’ve seen how UV radiation harms eyes in three critical zones: the front (like the pterygium ), the middle layers, and most critically, the retina. Discover why quality sunglasses are non-negotiable for Pacific Northwest residents.

UV damage often begins subtly with pinguecula

—a yellowish thickening of your eye’s conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the whites). Without protection, this can evolve into:

  • Permanent bumps at 3 or 9 o’clock positions near the cornea

  • Inflammation called pingueculitis

  • Requires prescription drops from a Seattle optometrist
    Early intervention at our Capitol Hill clinic prevents progression.

Years of UV exposure—especially in dry, dusty environments—can advance pinguecula to pterygium (shown in photo).

This growth distorts vision by:

  1. Causing corneal traction

  2. Changing astigmatism prescriptions

  3. Creating chronic irritation
    Seattle hikers and boaters note: Our marine climate doesn’t eliminate this risk.

While advanced pterygium is less common in lifelong Seattle

residents who wear sunglasses, no Northwesterner is immune. At Cannon EyeCare, we treat patients with:

  • Childhoods in sun-intensive regions (Texas/California)

  • Outdoor careers (construction, fishing)

  • Active lifestyles (skiing, sailing Puget Sound)
    Pro tip: Overcast Seattle days still deliver 80% UV radiation

When pterygium obstructs vision, surgery becomes necessary

Seattle patients should know:

  • Surgery removes abnormal tissue (high success rate)
  • New eyeglass/contact lens prescriptions post-recovery
  • 20-40% recurrence risk without UV protection
    Prevention remains our top recommendation at Cannon EyeCare.

Beyond surface damage, UV penetrates deeper

Middle Layer: Accelerates cataracts

  • Treatable, but ideally later in life

  • UV exposure can trigger surgery decades early

Retina: Most severe consequences (discussed next)
We help Seattle patients delay cataract development through proactive protection.

Consistent sunglass use prevents premature cataracts

Most critically, UV targets the macula—your retina’s center for sharp vision. Many Seattleites know someone affected by Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of senior blindness nationwide.

While AMD deserves dedicated discussion, understand this: It’s America’s #1 cause of legal blindness in seniors.
Prevention starts young—three controllable risk factors:

  1. Genetics: Unchangeable, but knowing family history helps. Ask relatives about vision issues before it’s too late.

  2. Smoking: Doubles AMD risk. Quitting preserves sight.

  3. UV Exposure: Daily UVA/UVB-blocking sunglasses are non-negotiable, especially in reflective environments like Puget Sound.

Protect your vision where you live. Visit Cannon EyeCare near Pike Place Market for prescription sunglasses that defend against Seattle’s unique UV challenges.
—Dr. Mark Cannon, FAAO
Board-Certified Optometrist | Serving Seattle Since 2012

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