Details of Studies
Protect Your Eyes

A study released Tuesday (8/26) shows a link between exposure to the sun, and cataracts. But unlike previous studies, this one says the general population is at risk, not just people in certain professions.

Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports that sunglasses and a hat may be some of the smartest things to wear in the 21st century.

Johns Hopkins researchers writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association say even fairly low exposure to the sun throughout a person's lifetime increases the risk of cataracts.

The study shows a more dramatic risk in the eyes of African Americans.

Doctors at the University of Utah's Moran Eye Center say in addition to older people, they're seeing more younger folks with cataracts, as well.

RANDALL OLSON M.D., MORAN EYE CENTER: "I'M SEEING PATIENTS NOW WHO WERE SUN WORSHIPPERS WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR TEENS, EARLY TWENTIES, PARTICULARLY THAT HEAVY DUTY SKIERS IN OUR AREA WHO ARE DEVELOPING CATARACTS IN THEIR FORTIES NOW."

Val Green has had both cataracts and macular degeneration. He can still see people in front of him, but the macular degeneration has destroyed his center vision.

VAL GREEN, PATIENT: "I CAN SEE YOU ED BUT THE INSIDE OF YOUR FACE IS COMPLETELY BLANK."

DR. OLSON: "JUST EXACTLY AS WE GET CATARACTS, WE END UP GETTING MACULAR PROBLEMS AND MACULAR DIFFICULTIES. SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO FIND THAT THE TWO CORRELATE VERY WELL."

While diet may still play a greater role in macular degeneration, opthalmalogists say there's no question about the link between the sun and cataracts.

Scientists have even been looking at animals in South America which might be the first cataract victims of the controversial so-called hole in the earth's ozone layer.

DR. OLSON: "I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WERE SEEING A LOT OF ANIMAL SPECIES WITH CATARACTS - PRETTY PROFOUND CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT - CLEARLY WHATEVER WE DO TO THE OZONE LAYER - WHATEVER WE DO TO ENHANCE UNLTRAVIOLET LIGHT IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD FOR US."

Opthalmalogists say simply wearing a hat shades the eyes and decreases exposure 30 to 50 percent.