Eye trouble

[irwinsailor]

I met a former cruising couple that were both going blind. The woman said that it was because of the sun and that they both had "blue" eye's. Is that true? Do people with blue eye's have greater chance of going blind from the sun?

[exposure]

There seems to be some merit in that statement.

http://www.nyee.edu/summereyeprotection.html

"People who work outdoors, have blue eyes or take certain drugs are especially vulnerable to eye damage from sunlight," says Dr. Finger. "So is anyone who takes a vacation day at the beach, or goes sailing or skiing, because the reflective glare of sand, water or snow magnifies sun exposure."

Woody "blue eyes"

[Harriet]

I have heard and read that extensive exposure to the sun can be as damaging to the eyes as to the skin. As sailors, we are clearly at risk for sun damage, which is why our boat is well stocked with sunblock, and we keep multiple pairs of sunglasses on board. We definitely lose our share overboard, and there is not always a source to replace them.

Make sure your sunglasses are designed with UV protection. And it helps on the water if they are polarized.

Sunblock and sunglasses seem like such an easy and inexpensive way to prevent some serious medical problems.