title: Eye protection for ultraviolet B phototherapy and psoralen ultraviolet A patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We tested eye protection used for phototherapy patients. The study also established current practice concerning eye protection in a sample of UK phototherapy units.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ultraviolet (UV) transmission spectra of 30 'UV protective' contact lenses were measured at 5 nm intervals between 290 and 400 nm. Sunglasses, small UV goggles and UV visors were tested between 270 and 420 nm. We surveyed the use of eye protection during phototherapy in 78 UK phototherapy units.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All samples of sunglasses, eye protection goggles, visors and sunglasses comfortably passed previously published arbitrary limits of acceptability. Most contact lenses showed some protection in the UVB, but most had little or no UVA protection. Of 78 UK phototherapy units 21 (33%) use tinted goggles during UV exposures, two (3%) use a visor only, 28 (43%) use both and nine (14%) use clear plastic (probably polycarbonate) goggles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UV transmission for sunglasses and contact lenses is lower compared with samples tested 10 years ago. All samples of glasses, goggles and visors tested provided adequate protection in the UV range according to published arbitrary limits of acceptability. Most contact lenses did not provide significant UV protection in the UVA range.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, UK.
authors.forename: Suliman G H
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Otman
authors.forename: Leila D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: El-Dars
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Ejaz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gambles
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.forename: Alex V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Anstey
mesh_terms: D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D011564:Furocoumarins