Blue eyes get more diseases as they age, true or false?

Those plagued with gorgeous eyes are always worried they'll eventually inherit a disease in payment for years of compliments.  Their fears are not completely unwarranted, yet they are very easily reduced with proper care and guidance.

If you refer back to my blog on March 24, 2012 "My eyes were blue, now they're green..", you'll learn a little about the thickness of an iris (colored part of the eye) contributing to the overall color.  As previously stated the more layers of pigment we have in our iris the darker the color.  Hence a lighter colored eye will have less layers of pigment, translating into less protection from UV harmful rays. 

As light enters the eye there stand several structure to protect the delicate, sensitive retina (the sensory tissue that picks up all images).  Think of old fashioned non-digital cameras, remember if we opened the camera the light would ruin the film, making you the most horrible person for destroying the baby's first birthday pictures.  The retina in the eye is that sensitive to extreme light exposure, even for just minutes.  Now thankfully we have some intelligent designing that wouldn't allow that to happen.  The iris has the ability to contract and dilate depending on our light settings which helps, keep in mind the darker the iris the more light is blocked regardless of pupil size.  Then there is the lens (right behind the iris) made of a cystalline material that is programmed to absorb all harmful UV rays.  Later in life it does get yellower (like windows in an old house) developing into cataract.  Every single person in this world that walks outside is developing cataract, now consider the amount of light going through a lighter iris.  They can develop cataract a few years earlier then the brown eyes.  Are we all following the thread?  UV light is the culprit and all those structures stand together to protect the retina, some are better defenders (browns) then others (green/blue).  The only man-made object to put everyone on an even playing field is a UV protected pair of sunglasses (transition lenses are wonderful too).  We've even managed to put UV protection on clear lenses and contact lenses, however they aren't as effective as a UV blocking pair of sunglasses.  

The answer to the question is true without protection, but false with some cool shades.  

See and Be Seen! at Eyed LA Optometry in Brentwood, West Los Angeles

www.eyedla.com