DR. PAUL FISHER AND ASSOCIATES

Springtime is here, the weather is mild and the itch is back. Time to get the bike out of the garage and put some miles on it. I’m sure the bike is clean and the chrome is polished and it’s tuned up with fresh oil and a good set of tires. That maintenance is important to keep you riding safely and effi ciently.

Equally important are a good pair of riding boots, helmet and protective gear. You have to protect yourself in the unpredictable Florida traffi c. You may even elect to use sunscreen for the longer rides to protect your skin. Ready to go? Wait, what about your eyes? That’s right, your eyes.

We all know how brutal the subtropical Florida sun can be on your skin. It can be just as damaging to your eyes. Cheap sunglasses may look good but do they really protect your eyes the way they should? Not all sunglasses are created equal. Some block almost none of the damaging UV light put out by our nearest star.

A good pair of sunglasses should protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB light. This light accelerates aging and cellular oxidation. Unprotected or poorly protected UV exposure can contribute to the following.

1. Cataracts– The gradual changing of the lens inside the eye from clear to cloudy. Cataracts can be accelerated by exposure to harmful UV light from the sun. 2. Pinguecula– A raised yellowish area (usually nasal to the cornea). Although harmless, they are unsightly and can become bothersome when irritated. These arise from chronic unprotected exposure to UV light. 3. Pterygium– A pterygium is a fl eshy, vascular growth that can grow onto the cornea. Pterygiums can aff ect vision by causing irregular astigmatism. They can also become infl amed. A pterygium is caused by UV induced alteration of stem cells that surround the cornea.

4. Cancers of the eye and

surrounding tissue– the skin that makes up the eyelids and surrounding areas is some of the thinnest in the human body. The two most common forms of skin cancer found on the eyelids are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. UV light exposure is a proven cause of both of these conditions.

So, you might be wondering what exactly is a good pair of sunglasses? Well, the answer depends on the individual specifi c needs of the end user. Motorcyclists will benefi t from a wraparound frame design and larger lenses to block out as much UV exposure and wind as possible.

Should they be polarized? This has been the subject of some debate for quite some time. Polarization reduces the bright glare refl ecting off of horizontal objects (think bumpers, hoods of cars, bodies of water). Polarization can also make it more diffi cult to see wet spots on a slick road or ice if you ride up north. If you are a fair-weather rider, you might consider using polarized sunglasses, however, if you are an all-season rider, you may prefer non polarized sunglasses.

How about lens material? Plastic? Polycarbonate? Trivex? If a small stone can crack an automobile windshield at highway speeds, think of what it can do to your sunglasses. For this reason, I recommend polycarbonate or trivex lenses. They are much less likely to break and allow a foreign object into the eye. At Dr. Fisher and Associates we care about your vision and your eyes. We can help you with all your sunglass needs. We proudly carry Wiley X, Rip Curl, UVEX and other brands of impact resistant sunglasses. If you are not sure how eff ective your current sunglasses are, bring them by and we will be happy to check and clean them for you. We are conveniently located at 5838 9th Avenue North, St. Petersburg. We look forward to seeing you!

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Fisher grew up in St. Petersburg and went to high school at Dixie Hollins High School. Dr. Fisher worked in the corporate world for 10 years before deciding to go back to school to become an eye doctor. Dr. Fisher earned a B.S degree in Nutrition from Life College in Marietta Georgia where he graduated as valedictorian, and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University, College of Optometry in Davie, Florida. While at Nova Dr. Fisher was a member of VOSH (Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity). As a member of VOSH, Dr. Fisher traveled to Cusco, Peru, Estelí, Nicaragua and San Francisco, Guatemala to give free eye care to the local residents of these underserved areas. After graduation, Dr. Fisher also completed a residency in Ocular Disease. Dr. Fisher has been serving the vision needs of Pinellas County residents since 2004 and is looking forward to helping you see your very best!