Marty & Carol

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www.TanningProfessionals.com[ This Message was edited by: Marty & Carol on 2002-09-20 11:54 ]

angeleyes

According to the Web M.D. site, The following factors will increase your risk of getting cataracts; alcohol consumption, smoking,long-term steroid medication use(asthma inhalers),UV LIGHT EXPOSURE(suspected, although not PROVEN), infection during pregnancy,high blood pressure medications, glaucoma medications, diabetes, and aging.You also run a greater risk of getting cataracts if you are a Native American or African American, a woman, and if you have a family history of cataracts.

BooBop

Thanks angeleyes. I meant to post on this but forgot. I had just went to the eyedoc and have some brochures at home.

Marty & Carol

Angeleyes,

Thanks for the feedback.

Dad is going to have this surgury next month and although he does not drink, smoke, stay's out of the sun he is indeed getting old.

Thanks again

M & C

angeleyes

My pleasure! I am sorry to hear about your dad.Hope the surgery goes well and he is doing fine...I actually learned a thing or two by doing that bit of research, so I should be thanking you!My son has been on inhalers most of his life, so, now I have yet something else to worry about! LOL Take care and good luck!

Don Smith

Angeleyes:

Thank you for "pinch hitting" so ably during my absence!

M & C:

There are three types of injury involved with "light" that are important to keep in mind.

1. Retina. Retinal "burns" are caused by visible wavelengths (400 nm - 700 nm) and near-IR (infrared) wavelengths (700 nm - 1400 nm). The primary sources for these damaging wavelengths are (a) welding arcs, (b) lasers, and, (c) heat lamps.

2. Cornea. Corneal photokeratitus is caused by the UVR wavelengths between 100 nm - 320 nm). Corneal "burns" are caused by far-IR in the 3000 nm - 10,000 nm wavelength range (more about these wavelengths later). The primary sources of these wavelengths are welding arcs, plasma torches, low and high pressure mercury lamps, quartz mercury lamps and lasers (especially for far-IR).

3. Lens. Damage (sun burning) to the lens is caused by the UVA wavelengths (320 nm - 400 nm)and the middle and far IR (1400 nm - 10,000 nm). [Note: Some authorities think that UVR damage is a precursor to the formation of cataract.] The wavelengths KNOWN to cause a cataract, however, are the middle-IR wavelengths from 1400 nm - 3000 nm. Sources of these wavelengths are lasers, photocopier light sources, camera flash lamps and welding arcs.

I find it interesting that the eye (cornea) is also damaged by the plus 3,000 nm IR wavelengths because these are the same wavelengths that are increasingly suspected of inducing melanoma.

Once again, it is OVEREXPOSURE that causes the problem, not exposure.

I hope your Dad's surgery goes well.

Don

solarmeter

My dad is having cataract surgery in November (one eye at a time). He can still see quite well, but needs more and more light to compensate for the dimming effect of the cataracts.. which just came in the last year or so.