Eye care and the cyclist

With so many major sporting events on the horizon, particularly the Cape Argus Cycle Race this Sunday, it's time to take a closer look at how these cyclists should take care of their eyes.

The long-term benefits of an active lifestyle and sport are clear; they provide good exercise for maintaining proper weight, improve strength and coordination and help build lifelong healthy habits. One thing which is often overlooked by sports people is the health of their eyes.

Cycling downhill or into headwinds at high speeds results in near hurricane-force wind in the face. In addition to exposure to UV and wind, there is evidence that the long-term effects of the wind exposure can be damaging to both skin and eyes. Fortunately the sunglass industry has responded to the needs of cyclists by offering lenses with 99 to 100 percent UV blockage and shield or wraparound designs to block most of the UV waves.

Light, strong eyewear frames are also a must for those leading an active lifestyle. Shatterproof lenses are also recommended as these are virtually unbreakable and are one of the safest, lightest and toughest lenses available.

For those cyclists who wear contact lenses, soft daily disposable lenses are especially good for sports and are refreshingly fuss-free. They are also versatile and can be worn with non-prescription wraparound sunglasses, to protect the eyes from debris and wind.

Exercising for hours in the wind increases our rate of blinking and can make eyes water more than usual and is very uncomfortable. While these responses may temporarily reduce discomfort, they can reduce our ability to see clearly, compromising peak visual performance.

Another effect of wind on active people can be to dry out and/or displace contact lenses, making clear vision impossible.

Even when out of the wind, the lens does not return to its proper position without assistance. The drying effect can also cause extreme discomfort, to the point where blinking can become painful. Dust and pollen can further aggravate discomfort of contact lenses.

Various eye conditions, common in the general population, can also be exacerbated by conditions experienced by cyclists. Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis, or allergic eyes, is a medical condition in which the eyes respond to allergens (such as pollen), causing any or all of the following symptoms: swelling, redness, burning and the sensation that something is in the eye. Cycling exposes the eye to a barrage of dust, pollen and exhaust fumes. These elements can be especially discomforting for contact lens wearers, allergy sufferers and people with dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye is another common condition that can cause discomfort to sufferers. While South African statistics are not readily available, it is estimated that 10 million Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome. This syndrome occurs when there is a decline in the quantity or quality of tears bathing the eye. It is caused by problems with the body's system responsible for making tears and keeping a healthy “tear film” on your eye's surface. Symptoms of this condition include: persistent dryness, scratchiness and a burning sensation, while some sufferers also experience a ‘foreign body sensation' in their eyes, constantly feeling that there is something in the eye. While there are many possible causes of dry eye, including growing older, a side effect of many medications, disease and hormone fluctuations, dry eye can be exacerbated by dry, windy or dusty conditions.

Besides the discomfort caused by dry eye for both sportspeople and the public at large, untreated dry eye can lead to scarring or ulceration of the cornea and thus loss of vision.

If you suffer from dry eye symptoms, your optometrist or pharmacist may recommend artificial tears, which are lubricating eye drops that can alleviate the dry, scratching feeling and foreign body sensation of dry eye.

In South Africa, products available from Genop Healthcare, a distributor of best-in-class products from Allergan, a global leader in the eye care industry, provide a variety of treatment options. These include Refresh Liquigel®, Refresh®, Refresh Tears®, Cellufresh®, Celluvisc® and best selling OptiveTM, which was launched in South Africa six months ago. Go to www.genophealthcare.co.za to find out more about these effective treatment options.

Doctors may also recommend special nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids to decrease dry eye symptoms. Drinking more water may also relieve symptoms.

Sunscreen is also an important consideration for sportspeople, particularly those involved in long distance or endurance type events. Excessive sweating not only causes sunscreen to run into the eyes, causing discomfort or even a painful burning sensation, but sweat also removes the sunscreen from your skin, leaving you unprotected. Beads of sweat also magnify the intensity of the UV radiation. A water resistant sports sunscreen with a high SPF is recommended. These are specifically designed to not block pores or interfere with the sweating process, and will not sweat off.

Remember to look after your eyes, keep them healthy. Speak to your optometrist or pharmacist regarding which sunscreen and eye drops will best suit you.