How to Prevent Eye Damage

[Music Playing] Martin Vanderwood: Golfers wait all winter long to get out on the green to work on their swing and perfect their putt. Amateurs and professionals alike are always looking for that extra edge for better performance in their game. PGA Tour player Ian Leggatt is considered one of Canada's best professional golfers of the past decade. He believes, you have to cover the basics to stay at the top of your game. And one of those basics is eye health. Ian Leggatt: No matter what the sport, vision drives performance, so it's important to protect your eyes. Martin Vanderwood: The eyes are just as vulnerable to harmful UV rays as is the skin. Invisible UV rays and visible glare are present everyday year-round, on cloudy days, in bright light, and everything in between. Dr. Vi Tu Banh: We need to be vigilant against UV rays, because research show long-term exposure to them can have serious damage to the eyes, for example cataracts and macular degenerations. It is extremely important for every member of the family to get their eyes checked every year. The reason is, there are many eye diseases that are silent. This way we can detect them early, we can offer you different plans, so we can treat them. For example, there are photochromic lenses such as transition that can go from light to dark in a presence of UV. So this way they automatically give some protection from the sun. Martin Vanderwood: Most of us apply sun-screen to protect our skin when we are going to be outside for extended periods of time, but a survey found, we may not be as diligent when it comes to protecting our eyes. Only 17% of us wear sunglasses when heading outdoors, and only 45% of eyeglass wearers always choose corrective lenses with UV blocking abilities. For Ian Leggatt optimizing his vision is a key part of his strategy to remain competitive at this elite level. Ian Leggatt: On the golf course I have deal with varying light conditions and constant exposure to UV rays, so I have decided to wear photochromic lenses to help me assure my healthy eyesight from now and into the future. Martin Vanderwood: When it comes to achieving your personal best in sports remember that great eyesight is a key factor in athletic performance. You might want to put photochromic lenses at the top of your list when you shop for gear and gadgets to enhance your game. For more information about how to improve your vision and your game visit transitions.com, or for information on how to enter the Transitions Fore Eyes Golf Pool visit transitions.com/golfpool. Martin Vanderwood reporting. [Music Playing]