quote:
Originally posted by DaveSpruce
What is this with kiting with sunglasses? Is there a page with some information on dangers and **** about this? Looks kinda lame with glasses IMHO. And why are you staring at the sun?
Here is some information taken from another poster on another forum. Its a good explanation. The short and sweet is if you don't wear sunnies (decent ones) while you are out, you are damaging your eyes quite substantially, mess around and you'll be in for an operation if the damage is not too severe. I have heard of a couple of guys in Cape Town from the early kiting days (before glasses were as readily available as they are now) having to go in for ops because of it. You know how you put sunscreen on your skin? Well, you need to put sunscreen on your eyes too. Anyway, here is the explanation:
"It is vital that the product you use be fully UV protective otherwise you end up spending more time in the sun because the tint cuts out the galre, but still getting the burnt eye symptoms because UV has penetrated the lens.
Most of the products you buy from reputable retailers will be 100% UV, but always check the labels.
Your red eyes are a result of sunburn, windburn and salt water and its other contents (sea water not the most sterile enviroment) Sunglasses will definately help, but after a session, rinse your face with fresh water and rinse around your eyes (blinking should rid the eyes of salt debris). If it is really bad, treat it like you would a sunburn, cool your eyes down with a cold compress (icepack) and get some tear supplements from you pharmacist. Should the symptoms not improve overnight or you notice blurred vision, get to see an eyecare practitioner to ensure you have not scratched your cornea or picked up and infection. If you wear contact lenses, take them out and rinse them thouroughly with your solution (not tap water) when you get home to ensure that all the foreign matter from the ocean is rinsed off."
) The salt is easily rinsed off, but if you're not faceplanting as often as you did, I find it neccessary to stop and put my face in the water occassionaly. The sunscreen is a togh issue though, that comes down to good choice and early application to let it set-in before hitting the water.
