
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 2, 1995                   TAG: 9508020012
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ULTRAVIOLET RAYS CAN HURT YOUR EYES IN MANY WAYS

Although ultraviolet light can't be seen, its harmful effects can be felt in several parts of the eye, according to Carol Norbeck, an optician in Seattle and spokeswoman for the Better Vision Institute, a Rosslyn, Va.-based advisory council for the Vision Council of America trade group.

Not wearing sunglasses or wearing ones that don't provide the proper amount of protection could affect:

The retina, or the film in the back of your eye that takes the pictures. Ultraviolet exposure can dry out the retina.

The lens, the transparent body in the eye's interior that focuses light on the retina. Norbeck says it's widely believed that ultraviolet rays are a factor in cataracts, a disease marked by the clouding of the lens.

The cornea, or the transparent coating of the eye. Just like the sun can wear and fade the color of your car seat, it can wear a layer off your cornea, Norbeck says.

Also, the institute warns, there's danger to the cornea in snowy areas at higher altitudes, where a combination of UV rays and cold winds can cause ``snow blindness.'' In this condition, known as photokeratitis, the cornea becomes inflamed and is susceptible to tearing.

by CNB