Outdoor activities, if done for prolonged periods without adequate ultraviolet (UV) protection, can accelerate eye conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eye/eyelid cancers are other solar radiation risks of unprotected outdoor time. 

You’d want to implement the above UV vision protection strategies more than ever, as the number of days with high ultraviolet index values is on the rise. The World Meteorological Organization notes that measurements show a significant uptick in the number of days with high UV indices over the past decades.

What Are Some Common Eye Conditions? 

Refractive errors are among the most common eye conditions that result from the eyes being unable to bend (refract) light correctly. They can occur due to certain physical traits, including:

• The eyeball either being too short or too long
• The cornea’s shape either being too flat or too steep
• The flexibility of the lens inside the eye changing as a result of getting older (e.g., the lens becomes stiff due to advancing age) 

Refractive errors are so common they impact over 150 million people in the U.S., per the NEI (National Eye Institute). Some have nearsightedness, also called myopia, while others have farsightedness, also known as hyperopia. In older people, presbyopia, which makes close-up things look blurry, is also prevalent.

Astigmatism is another common refractive error that causes blurriness with both near and far vision. It results from the eyes having an irregular shape (egg or oval shape instead of round). Some people may also have this alongside another refractive error. 

What Are the Signs of Serious Eye Problems? 

Never underestimate signs of eye problems because if left unaddressed, they can lead to vision impairment or vision loss. Some symptoms should even prompt you to get immediate professional help, as they may indicate emergency sight-threatening conditions.

If you, a family member, or a friend ever experiences any of the following, please seek the help of an emergency optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye hospital right away. 

• Partial or total loss of sight
• Sudden double vision
• A dark curtain, veil, or shadow that moves across the vision
• A sudden, unexplained increase in eye floaters and flashes
• Intense pain in and around the eyes
• Severe redness and inflammation
• Extreme light sensitivity
• Physical trauma to the eyes, particularly deep punctures, cuts, or chemical splashes

What Chronic Eye Conditions Can Unprotected Outdoor UV Exposure Cause or Accelerate? 

Spending time in nature doing outdoor activities has become more popular among folks in the U.S., with participation rates increasing over the years.

A new report from the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), for instance, shows that in 2025, 183.2 million Americans got outside. It represents nearly six in ten people aged 6 and older and reflects an increase of 30 million from 2019’s total participants. 

Nature time and outdoor activities have undeniable health benefits, from lowering stress to supporting better heart health. They can, however, still pose safety risks, particularly if people ignore basic precautions, such as those for outdoor lens safety, skin protection, and dehydration prevention. 

Without proper preparation and long-term ocular protection, your eyes can take a hit from UV overexposure, as this can increase the risk of or accelerate the following eye conditions.   

Cataracts 

Prolonged or consistent exposure to UV rays without any protection can trigger oxidative stress in the eyes. Over time, the sun’s UV light can damage the protein inside your eyes’ lenses. The damage breaks down the proteins and causes them to clump up and form cataracts.

Cataracts are highly common, with the risk increasing with age. The longer they go untreated, the more vision loss they can cause and may even lead to blindness. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration 

The oxidative stress caused by unprotected UV exposure can contribute to the development or acceleration of AMD. It’s a progressive disease that damages the eyes’ macula (central part of the retina at the back of the eye), blurring central, straight-ahead vision.

Developing AMD can put you at risk of experiencing difficulty:

• Reading
• Recognizing faces
• Driving
• Completing focus tasks

Eye/Eyelid Cancers 

Prolonged exposure to the sun’s potent UV rays can harm the sensitive areas of the eyes, including the delicate tissues in and around the eyelids. In some cases, this damage can trigger the development of certain cancers. 

How to Safeguard Your Vision From Harmful UV Rays 

Making it a habit to wear sunglasses whose label states “100% UV protection” or “UV400” should be one of your top priorities to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. If you’re not keen on having to switch from prescription specs to sunglasses, don’t worry, as you can get specialty glasses.

You can, for example, fit stylish designer pieces, whether it’s Gucci, Prada, or Versace eyeglasses, with prescription sun care, UV-protective tinted lenses. There are also photochromic (transition) lenses that automatically darken when exposed to UV. 

Wear a wide-brimmed hat to maximize sun protection, too. It can safeguard not just your eyes but also your face and even neck from direct sunlight. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Reverse UV-Related Eye Conditions? 

Some UV-related eye conditions are reversible, such as eye dryness and surface irritation caused by an isolated incident of overexposure to the sun’s rays. Another is photokeratitis, which is similar to a sunburn, except it affects the eyes. 

Resting (moving to a dimmer area) and applying cool, damp compresses to the eyes can help relieve these conditions’ temporary symptoms. 

Many other UV-related eye conditions, however, are chronic or permanent. Cataracts and AMD, for instance, are non-reversible. They are, however, treatable. There’s surgery for cataracts, while AMD’s management often involves injections or laser therapies.

What Is the Most Common Degenerative Eye Disease? 

AMD is the most common degenerative eye disease. 

The latest statistics cited by the American Macular Degeneration Foundation put the number of Americans 40 years and older diagnosed with some form of macular degeneration at 20 million. It further notes that close to 1.5 million people have late-stage, vision-threatening AMD. 

Don’t Let UV Rays Ruin Your Eyesight

UV radiation can contribute to or accelerate various eye conditions, some of which could be permanent, such as cataracts and AMD. It should be enough reason for you to always wear sunglasses with a UV400 or 100% UV protection rating. 

Find more health and lifestyle guides or the latest events and news impacting the Black community by checking out the rest of our platform. 

By Dr. Y’Anad Burrell

“Fashion vs. Fascism” (FVF) is a visually immersive evening of fashion, music and political theater exposing the rise of fascism in the U.S. and the need to resist. Democracy is under siege, and culture is one of our most potent defenses, organizers say.

Called a live “runway revolution,” FvF premieres Oct. 3 at The Rotunda, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland.

A play that is part fashion show, part protest, part performance art, FvF stages five runway collections spotlighting the pillars of contemporary fascist politics and the urgent need to resist: the myth of a “glorious past,” the manufactured emergencies used to justify surveillance and crackdowns, and the oligarchs and grifters profiting from it all. Runway fashion shares the stage with political theater and live music, with a closing call to action.

“We need lawsuits, ballots and mass protests, but none of it lands if we’re not also fighting for people’s imagination,” says Linda Burnham, co-producer of the show. “People are exhausted and scared. FvF will expose the absurdities of fascist mythology and ideology in ways a news headline cannot and spark new ideas about how to resist.”

“Fascism doesn’t win by policy alone. It wins by telling a story. A myth about a ‘Golden Age.’ A permanent emergency that makes cruelty seem necessary. That’s not an accident, it’s a strategy, and it works on the same terrain as culture: image, spectacle, emotion,” says Aya De León, the show’s playwright.

“Every piece on this runway translates what is happening under fascism into a feeling,” explains Erica Furlong, the FVF creative director. “One designer’s trench coat is covered in pockets stamped ‘TRUTH,’ ‘MEMORY,’ ‘HOPE,’ ‘VOTE,’ ‘FUTURE,’ because that’s literally what gets seized first, pocket by pocket, under fascist decline. Fashion can hold grief and hope in the same silhouette, and that tension is exactly what this moment needs.”

At its best, fashion is about creativity, diversity, innovation, experimentation and the free exchange of ideas. Fascism, by contrast, demands conformity and control, while suppressing dissent.

FVF was created, organizers say, because democracy should always be in style.

Featured designers include Erica Varize, Rickie Lee, Tianna Charity, Julie Wong, and Maria Flores. The evening features a script by lead playwright Aya De León, musical performances by Mindeullae Project and DJ Emancipation, and other special guests.

FvF is designed to travel. Following the Oakland premiere, FvF will extend its reach through a documentary short, a curriculum on contemporary fascism in the U.S., and a full replication playbook — design templates, script, and curriculum — so organizers in other cities can stage their own version of the show.

Get more details at www.fashionvfascism.org.

By National Institute for Early Education Research

Georgia’s state-funded pre-k program for 4-year-olds was recently recognized as the largest state-funded preschool program in the nation to meet all 10 quality benchmarks, and the first universal program to do so. Georgia’s recognition is the top finding in the National Institute for Early Education Research’s new 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook. The yearbook provides an annual snapshot of state-funded preschool across the country. Forty-four states and the District of Columbia fund preschool programs.

Only five additional states meet all 10 of NIEER’s research-based benchmarks for quality —Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island—in this year’s report. None of those programs have the reach of Georgia Pre-K. NIEER’s benchmarks measure essential preschool quality indicators, including teacher qualifications, class sizes, early learning standards, and program assessments.

“Other states should take note: Georgia proves that state-funded preschool with well-qualified teachers, pay parity with K-12, small classes, and strong continuous improvement systems can be scaled as a universal program,” said NIEER director Steve Barnett. “With new initiatives to support quality, Georgia can expect increased enrollment, but leaders should also actively promote increased enrollment.”

Nationally, state support for preschool education hit record highs in enrollment and funding in 2024-2025. The pace of growth slowed, however, compared to the prior year, and many states continue to lag behind pre-pandemic enrollment levels. Preschool enrollment increased by 44,000 children nationally, reaching almost 1.8 million, including 37% of U.S. four-year-olds and 9% of three-year-olds. California, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri contributed the most to increased enrollment, adding more than 52,000 new seats.

States spent nearly $14.4 billion on preschool in 2024-2025. Including federal and local dollars, total spending was almost $17.7 billion. Three states each spent more than $1 billion last year: California ($4.1 billion), New Jersey ($1.2 billion), and New York ($1 billion). Together, these three states account for 45% of all state preschool spending. Texas adds almost another $1 billion.

Spending increased by $434 million, or 3%, adjusted for inflation. Twenty-eight states increased preschool funding, including Michigan and New Jersey, which each added more than $100 million. “Not only does preschool access vary by which state a child happens to live in, but so does the quality of that preschool experience,” said Allison Friedman-Krauss, lead author of the report. “Only high-quality early care and education programs support children’s development enough to result in lasting academic and other gains that ultimately deliver savings for taxpayers.”

A record six states met all 10 of NIEER’s recommended quality standards, with Alabama doing so for the 20th consecutive year. Georgia joined this list this year after improving its teacher-to-child ratio from 1:11 to 1:10 and lowering maximum class sizes to 20. Several states met 9 of 10 benchmarks, including New Mexico, which is working toward universal access for both three- and four-year-olds. Once New Mexico requires all lead teachers to have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, it will be on par with Georgia in terms of both quality and quantity.

Not all states moved forward. Twenty states enrolled fewer preschoolers in 2024-2025 than the prior year, with enrollment dropping by more than 1,000 children in Arizona, Florida, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Seventeen states spent less on preschool than the prior year, adjusted for inflation, with Arizona, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas seeing the largest percentage declines. Additional information about the State of Preschool Yearbook, including individual state profiles and maps, graphs, and state rankings, can be found at www.nieer.org.

By Carla Thomas

A $642 million project designed to accommodate larger cargo ships and strengthen the Port of Oakland’s position as a major Pacific trade gateway moved a significant step closer to construction on Aug. 27.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District and the Port of Oakland commemorated the signing of the inaugural Design Agreement for the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Projectduring a ceremony aboard the USS Potomac, the presidential yacht once used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The project will widen the Port’s Inner and Outer Harbor turning basins, allowing today’s increasingly larger and longer vessels more space to safely maneuver and turn around. The current basins are narrow, creating delays and operational inefficiencies.

Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton called the agreement a historic milestone that will support thousands of jobs.

“Today marks a historic occasion for the Port as we sign the inaugural Design Agreement for the Turning Basin Widening Project, which will keep Oakland competitive,” said Walton.

The agreement advances the project into its preconstruction engineering and design phase following years of planning and collaboration.

Lt. Col. Virginia Brickner, commander of the USACE San Francisco District, said the signing represented tangible progress toward construction.

“We are moving forward. We are showing progress,” Brickner said.

Major General Jason Kelly, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, said dredging is critical for maritime dominance, supply chains, and economic competitiveness.

“Dredging sustains our national economic infrastructure,” he said. “The future demands more, the taxpayer deserves more, and together we’re going to deliver.”

For U.S. Representative Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), the Port project will support jobs beyond its completion. “This will impact workers and businesses, and every shipping container represents multiple jobs.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described Oakland as a gateway to international markets and spoke on earlier efforts to deepen Oakland’s shipping channel to 50 feet. While serving in the California Legislature, Lee helped bring together labor, business, environmental advocates and Port officials to resolve disputes surrounding dredging and environmental protections.

“We want the Port to remain competitive economically,” Lee said, excited about both protecting the environment and generating sustainable jobs in the region. “We want to make sure that we create good-paying union jobs, and that the Port continues to not just survive, but thrive.”

Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney said economic growth is dependent on investments in the Oakland Harbor’s infrastructure.

“This investment and staying competitive will fuel our economy for years to come,” said McKenney.

The Port of Oakland, with its partners, supports more than 98,000 regional jobs and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees the Oakland Seaport, the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), and nearly 20 miles of waterfront, including Jack London Square.

By Ken Epstein

Local Democratic clubs and community organizations interviewed candidates running for Oakland school board in the November elections, including incumbents Jennifer Brouhard in District 2, Mike Hutchinson in District 4 and Valarie Bachelor in District 6.

For the first time, the interviews were jointly sponsored by the John George Democratic Club, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, Oakland East Bay Democratic Club, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Niagara Democratic Club, Block by Block Organizing Network and Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce.

The Democratic clubs interviewed only registered Democrats.

John George and Wellstone endorsed Brouhard and Bachelor. Neither endorsed Hutchinson.

In District 4, Wellstone ranked Sylvia Pfeiffer Williams first and Kathryn Camp second. John George ranked Camp first and Williams second.

Hutchinson, an Oakland native and Oakland public schools graduate, highlighted his record.

“I was in board leadership and chaired the Budget and Finance Committee,” he said. “We passed balanced budgets and paid off the state loan early, which allowed us to finally leave state receivership after 22 years.”

Hutchinson said the district faces a financial crisis requiring changes in board leadership and district policies.

“We need a different majority so we can get back on track, end school closures, and manage our resources better,” he said.

Williams taught adult education in Oakland for 18 years.

Williams said her philosophy “comes from the disability justice world, to center the needs of the most vulnerable. When we center the needs of the most vulnerable, we create environments, systems, and learning experiences in which everyone can thrive.”

Williams framed potential school closures as an equity issue.

“Are we thinking about closing schools up in the hills?” she asked. “Or are we thinking about closing schools where communities are in crisis right now?”

Camp, a Bay Area native and Oakland resident of 25 years, has a son in second grade.

“Our kids are only getting one shot at a great education, and I’m running to bring pragmatic, student-centered leadership that restores trust, builds responsibility, and delivers results for every child,” she said.

On her website, Camp pledged accountability and transparency. “As a proud OUSD parent, I know our schools need more than promises – they need fiscal responsibility, equity, and meaningful action guided by long-term strategy,” she said.

“That means protecting classrooms, supporting teachers, using resources wisely, and making decisions that reflect clear priorities and real accountability,” said Camp. “It also means bringing people together and providing the kind of steady leadership that can navigate complex systems, ask hard questions, and stay grounded in what matters most: student outcomes, thriving schools, and a district that works for the communities it serves.”

Wellstone’s Education Committee said it opposed Hutchinson because he frequently challenged the board majority and superintendent.

“He also claims that the teachers’ contract is illegal that a grand jury should be called. He is not endorsed by the teachers’ union; he has been disruptive and non-collaborative at meetings,” and he has been absent 26% of the time, the committee said.

“He claims that the teachers’ contract is illegal and that a grand jury should be called,” the committee said. “He takes individual credit for accomplishments, including paying the state loan, when in fact these changes came from the work of the entire board, or were the result of following through on policy.”

Next week: District 6 school board candidates.