Open AccessProtection of the Eye from Ultraviolet Radiation Damage Among Adults in Addis Zemen Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Gizachew Tilahun Belete,
Kalkidan Getahun Tolessa,
Mohammed Seid Hussen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
clinical optometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1179-2752
DOI - 10.2147/opto.s291916
Subject(s) - ultraviolet radiation , optometry , ultraviolet , geography , ultraviolet irradiation , environmental health , medicine , physics , optics , chemistry , irradiation , nuclear physics , radiochemistry
Ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation or light having a wavelength of less than 400 nm but greater than 100 nm. Ultraviolet radiation, majorly from sunlight, can potentially damage any organ that is exposed to any part of its spectrum. Aside from the skin, the organ most susceptible to sunlight-induced damage is the eye. Ultraviolet radiation is reported to be the cause of multiple ocular problems ranging from benign conditions like pterygium and pinguecula to ocular malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma which finally leads to visual impairment and blindness. Protection practice is mandatory to avoid the burden of diseases caused by ultraviolet exposure and maximizing the protection measures implementation is important. To maximize this, it is essential to know the current practice and the associated factors affecting the usage of protective devices in the study area.