Sun reflecting off the water

[EGbassing]

The past few days that I've been fishing I've noticed that, while I'm not looking directly at the sun, the reflection off the water is usually in my peripheral vision. I wear sunglasses, but is that still bad for your eyes?

[burrows]

Probably? I wouldn’t worry about it though. If you’re really worried about probably invest in some really good eye protection.

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, Burros said:

Probably? I wouldn’t worry about it though. If you’re really worried about probably invest in some really good eye protection.

I have Ray-Bans. Guess I'll just wear 'em and stop worrying about it. 

[burrows]

I use 20$ renegades I probably worry more of the reflection blasting in my face than I do my eyes I always wear face protection uv buff or sunscreen. I guess I should probably worry about my eyes more ? Lol

[Sam]

I think this is the first inquiry into the affects of sunlight reflecting off the water or other surfaces, such as car windshields, glass storefronts, pavements, etc.

 

I just had my annual skin cancer checkup and other than for two places, top of left ear and front left scalp, no problems were found. The cancer areas were treated and no problems are expected. The doctor never mentioned the impact of reflective sunlight on my skin or eyes.

 

Neither my dermatologist nor my ophthalmologist have ever discussed reflective light impacting the eyes. I think I will ask an ophthalmologist friend for his input on the question and let you know what he tells me.

 

I do wear my Costa's while fishing and they really cut down on the reflective light.

 

Great post. Thanks for thinking about a very important issue that impacts us all.

[Sam]

EG, I sent emails to my dermatologist and eye doctor this morning about reflective sun rays off the water and will share with you their replies.

 

The following is from my dermatologist's web page and if you note the word "cataracts" is used when discussing the impact of the sun ray's on our bodies. I also used bold letters to highlight what the article says is important to bass fishing and sunlight.

 

Enjoy the article!

 

Because of the ultraviolet radiation it emits, the sun is inherently dangerous to human skin. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology stipulates that there is no safe way to tan. Tanning is the skin's natural response to damage from the sun. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency proclaims that everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun. That's why everyone needs to protect their skin from the sun every day.

How We Burn

When ultraviolet light penetrates the epidermis it stimulates melanin, the substance responsible for skin pigmentation. Up to a point, the melanin absorbs dangerous UV rays before they do serious damage. Melanin increases in response to sun exposure, which is what causes the skin to tan. This is a sign of skin damage, not health. Sunburns develop when the UV exposure is greater than the skin's natural ability to protect against it.

Sunscreens and Sunblocks

The sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that are harmful to human skin. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis and lead to wrinkles, age spots and skin cancers. UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn, cataracts and immune system damage. Melanoma is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20.

 

Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet light so that it doesn't reach the skin. Look for sunscreens with the active ingredients PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates or salicylates. Sunblocks literally block the UV rays instead of absorbing them. Key active ingredients for sunblock success are titanium oxide and zinc oxide.

 

There is no sunscreen or sunblock that works 100%. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the manufacture and promotion of sunscreens. Sunscreens are given a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number that indicates how long a person can remain in the sun without burning. It is recommended that people use products with a SPF of 50 or greater. Sunscreens are not generally recommended for infants six months old or younger. Infants should be kept in the shade as much as possible and should be dressed in protective clothing to prevent any skin exposure and damage.

 

There is no such thing as "all-day protection" or "waterproof" sunscreen. No matter what the SPF number, sunscreens need to be re-applied every 2 to 3 hours. Products that claim to be "waterproof" can only protect against sunburn up to 80 minutes in the water. Products labeled "water resistant" can only protect against sunburn up to 40 minutes in the water.

 

Even in the worst weather, 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through the clouds. Additionally, sand reflects 25% of the sun's UV rays and snow reflects 80% of the sun's UV rays. That's why sunscreen needs to be worn every day and in every type of weather and climate. The sun's intensity is also impacted by altitude (the higher the altitude the greater the sun exposure), time of year (summer months) and location (the closer to the Equator, the greater the sun exposure).

Protecting Yourself From Sun Exposure

• Look for sunscreens that use the term "broad spectrum" because they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 50.

• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you head out into the sun to give it time to seep into the skin.

• Apply sunscreens liberally. Use at least one ounce to cover the entire body.

• Use a lip balm with SPF 50 or greater to protect the lips from sun damage.

• Re-apply sunscreen immediately after going into water or sweating.

• Re-apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.

• Use sunscreen every day regardless of the weather.

• Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV rays.

• Wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing to limit skin exposure to the sun.

• Stay in the shade whenever possible.

• Avoid using tanning beds.

[TOXIC]

Here's a little snippet that addresses it.  Also I wear "wrap around" style glasses for a couple of reasons.  1. To protect my eyes from the different angles the sun reflects.  2. To keep the wind from drying my eyes out while traveling at speed in my boat and 3. Poly lenses to protect from impact.  

 

On the water, the combination of direct and reflected light is much brighter than on land. Unfiltered glare, the light reflected off flat surfaces like water, windshields, bright white decks and sails, is so intense that it impairs vision (a clear safety hazard). Glare causes squinting, fatigues the eyes, and can result in visual discomfort and headaches. Glare is present even on hazy days. Most sunglasses reduce light intensity by 80-90 percent with darkening gray, green, amber, or other colored lens.

Colored lenses alone are not enough protection for marine conditions. To filter out intense glare and prevent squinting, sunglasses for boating should be polarized. And they should be coated to block 99-100 percent of the damaging UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) rays that can reduce visual acuity at night, and cause degenerative eye diseases like photokeratitis, snow blindness, cataracts, pterygium, and various forms of eye cancer. Sunglasses should also be shatterproof to protect the eyes from injury in the event of sudden impact.

[EGbassing]

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Here's a little snippet that addresses it.  Also I wear "wrap around" style glasses for a couple of reasons.  1. To protect my eyes from the different angles the sun reflects.  2. To keep the wind from drying my eyes out while traveling at speed in my boat and 3. Poly lenses to protect from impact.  

 

On the water, the combination of direct and reflected light is much brighter than on land. Unfiltered glare, the light reflected off flat surfaces like water, windshields, bright white decks and sails, is so intense that it impairs vision (a clear safety hazard). Glare causes squinting, fatigues the eyes, and can result in visual discomfort and headaches. Glare is present even on hazy days. Most sunglasses reduce light intensity by 80-90 percent with darkening gray, green, amber, or other colored lens.

Colored lenses alone are not enough protection for marine conditions. To filter out intense glare and prevent squinting, sunglasses for boating should be polarized. And they should be coated to block 99-100 percent of the damaging UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) rays that can reduce visual acuity at night, and cause degenerative eye diseases like photokeratitis, snow blindness, cataracts, pterygium, and various forms of eye cancer. Sunglasses should also be shatterproof to protect the eyes from injury in the event of sudden impact.

Thank you sir. Is this what you mean by "wrap around" glasses? https://amzn.to/2vk3Byz

4 hours ago, Sam said:

EG, I sent emails to my dermatologist and eye doctor this morning about reflective sun rays off the water and will share with you their replies.

 

The following is from my dermatologist's web page and if you note the word "cataracts" is used when discussing the impact of the sun ray's on our bodies. I also used bold letters to highlight what the article says is important to bass fishing and sunlight.

 

Enjoy the article!

 

Because of the ultraviolet radiation it emits, the sun is inherently dangerous to human skin. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology stipulates that there is no safe way to tan. Tanning is the skin's natural response to damage from the sun. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency proclaims that everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun. That's why everyone needs to protect their skin from the sun every day.

How We Burn

When ultraviolet light penetrates the epidermis it stimulates melanin, the substance responsible for skin pigmentation. Up to a point, the melanin absorbs dangerous UV rays before they do serious damage. Melanin increases in response to sun exposure, which is what causes the skin to tan. This is a sign of skin damage, not health. Sunburns develop when the UV exposure is greater than the skin's natural ability to protect against it.

Sunscreens and Sunblocks

The sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that are harmful to human skin. UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis and lead to wrinkles, age spots and skin cancers. UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn, cataracts and immune system damage. Melanoma is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20.

 

Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet light so that it doesn't reach the skin. Look for sunscreens with the active ingredients PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates or salicylates. Sunblocks literally block the UV rays instead of absorbing them. Key active ingredients for sunblock success are titanium oxide and zinc oxide.

 

There is no sunscreen or sunblock that works 100%. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the manufacture and promotion of sunscreens. Sunscreens are given a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number that indicates how long a person can remain in the sun without burning. It is recommended that people use products with a SPF of 50 or greater. Sunscreens are not generally recommended for infants six months old or younger. Infants should be kept in the shade as much as possible and should be dressed in protective clothing to prevent any skin exposure and damage.

 

There is no such thing as "all-day protection" or "waterproof" sunscreen. No matter what the SPF number, sunscreens need to be re-applied every 2 to 3 hours. Products that claim to be "waterproof" can only protect against sunburn up to 80 minutes in the water. Products labeled "water resistant" can only protect against sunburn up to 40 minutes in the water.

 

Even in the worst weather, 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through the clouds. Additionally, sand reflects 25% of the sun's UV rays and snow reflects 80% of the sun's UV rays. That's why sunscreen needs to be worn every day and in every type of weather and climate. The sun's intensity is also impacted by altitude (the higher the altitude the greater the sun exposure), time of year (summer months) and location (the closer to the Equator, the greater the sun exposure).

Protecting Yourself From Sun Exposure

• Look for sunscreens that use the term "broad spectrum" because they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 50.

• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you head out into the sun to give it time to seep into the skin.

• Apply sunscreens liberally. Use at least one ounce to cover the entire body.

• Use a lip balm with SPF 50 or greater to protect the lips from sun damage.

• Re-apply sunscreen immediately after going into water or sweating.

• Re-apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.

• Use sunscreen every day regardless of the weather.

• Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV rays.

• Wear wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing to limit skin exposure to the sun.

• Stay in the shade whenever possible.

• Avoid using tanning beds.

Thank you. I just finished reading those. That was really helpful.  

[TOXIC]

3 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Thank you sir. Is this what you mean by "wrap around" glasses? https://amzn.to/2vk3Byz

Thank you. I just finished reading those. That was really helpful.  

Yes although those are fit overs for wearing over your normal glasses.  I got prescription Oakleys that are the same Rx as my regular glasses.   

[EGbassing]

2 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Yes although those are fit overs for wearing over your normal glasses.  I got prescription Oakleys that are the same Rx as my regular glasses.   

Ah, alright. Might get some of those. Thanks again.

[Pat33]

I bought a pair of Smith Optics with green amber lens. All day in Florida sun and no problems. Not pushing Smith, any good pair of optics is a must have in my book.

[Sam]

7 hours ago, EGbassing said:

Ah, alright. Might get some of those. Thanks again.

Here is what my dermatologist emailed me back:

 

Sunscreens absorb ultraviolet light so that it doesn't reach the skin. Look for sunscreens with the active ingredients PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates or salicylates. Sunblocks literally block the UV rays instead of absorbing them. Key active ingredients for sunblock success are titanium oxide and zinc oxide.

 

The zinc oxide is the white stuff life guards put on their noses. I have some and I look like a vaudeville act. But it works!!!

 

You received some great feedback from the gang. Now make that skin cancer screening appointment so you will have a base line for future comparisons. Easy test and they check everything. And I mean everything!!!