Beware of What you Cannot See

Eye Care

May 14, 2020

Most people think that proper eye care consists of visiting an eye doctor. Taking good care of your eyes is up you.

“Even short-term effect of over UV exposure can cause a ‘sunburn’ of the eyes. Symptoms are pain, tearing or blurred vision,” says Dr. Maria Sirounis Sirmis, a Toronto optometrist.

UV-A rays hurt the central vision by damaging the retina at the back of the eye causing macular degeneration. UV-B is what gives you the burn and affects the cornea and lens by absorbing most of these rays, causing more damage than UV-A rays. “Even though we can not see UV light, it is absorbed into the eye and is cumulative, causing long term problems,” explains Maria. “We use sunscreen to protect our skin and must wear sunglasses to protect our eyes. When you are on the water you receive direct UV rays from above and ones that are reflected off the water.”

Reading a Chart with SunglassesReading a chart and plotting a course is much easier with sunglasses.

The bigger and/or more wrap-around the frame, the more protection you have. Look for 100% UV protection sunglasses. Dr. Sirounis Sirmis stresses, “Children are at much greater risk of UV damage because their pupils are larger than adults and their crystalline lens is clearer, so they do not filter UV as well as adults. Studies show that you get 80% of your cumulative lifetime UV dose by the age of 18.”

Polarized glasses reduce the glare off the water and allow you to better see rocks, shoals or debris just below the surface. Unfortunately the LCD electronic screens on the boat are also polarized. If you lean over the screen, it often becomes black.

Cloudy DayKatherine Stone did extensive research for this feature:

Note: If you are a CY subscriber, you already have your May issue please see the complete special feature on Page 10 with more important information (or subscribe to get the digital edition here)

Related Articles


Canadian Boating’s 2025 Gallery of Great New Boats: Part 1

40 new boats you need to know about!

It’s boat show season! From cruisers to pontoons to deck boats, there are so many exciting new vessels hitting the market in 2025. Are you planning an upgrade? Or are you getting ready to buy your first boat? Whatever you’re looking for, the team at Canadian Boating Magazine is here to help. We’ve put together an expansive gallery of great new boats that we’re super excited about this boat show season. Whatever your boating style, we’ve got something for you!

Read More


Destinations

Destination: Trent Severn Waterway ONE MORE TIME!

By Greg Nicoll

Photos by Andy Adams and friends

Just when you thought you might never see the Galley Guys again, there they were waving from the flying bridge of a Le Boat Horizon 3 gliding down the Trent Severn Waterway (TSW) in the sun. Glorious!

In the past the Galley Guys have travelled far and wide to great locations to explore the good life on a boat. However, this year we stayed in our own backyard for a real treat; cruising The Trent Severn Waterway.

Read More