The sun is essential for every aspect of life. However, it has harmful effects on our health, particularly on the skin and eyes.
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, known as UV, causes several issues for the eyes and skin. For this reason, we use sun skin cream or wear high-standard sunglasses. In this blog, we focus on the effect of UV exposure on the eyes and explain scientific ways to protect against it.
Contents
UV Exposure and Its Impact on Eye Health!
First, let’s answer this question: what is UV radiation?
UV is an electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. It’s invisible to us, and we cannot see it, but as mentioned before, it has a significant harmful effect on our skin and eyes.
UV rays have three types:
- UVA
- UVB
- UVC
UVA rays are dangerous for human beings as they can lead to skin cancer. Also, eye damage like cataracts, and macular degeneration are other negative impacts of these rays.
UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays but lead to skin sunburn and damage to the cornea and lens.
And then it UVB rays. These rays are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere, but a significant amount still reaches us. Among these three, UVA rays are the most dangerous, so we need UV protection for our health.
The Risks of UV Exposure to Your Eyes
As mentioned, unprotected exposure to UV radiation can lead to various short and long-term problems. So let’s take a look at these eye health issues.
Cataracts
Cataracts are known as a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This issue is one of the consequences of UV exposure. Recent studies show that UV exposure highly increases the risk of developing cataracts, particularly in individuals who spend much time outdoors without protection, like standard sunglasses.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration causes blindness in older adults and affects the central part of the retina, known as the macula. UV exposure contributes to the development of macular degeneration and leads to loss of central vision in the long run.
Photokeratitis
Photokeratitis or sunburn of the eye is a painful condition caused by overexposure to UV light. This painful eye problem impacts the cornea and leads to redness, Sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and even temporary vision loss. Most of the time it may become better so soon, but if it repeats again and again, it may lead to more serious damage in the long run.
Pterygium and Pinguecula
Last but not least is Pterygium or surfer’s eye. This obstacle starts with a benign growth of tissue on the white part of the eye, known as sclera, and then an encroach on the cornea. Pinguecula is a yellowish, raised spot on the white part of the eye, often caused by UV exposure.
Most of the time these two issues happen for those who spend long hours outdoors without sunglasses or any UV protection.
How to Protect Your Eyes from UV Radiation
By explaining these issues, you may feel a little stressed, but do not worry! To protect your eyes from UV radiation, we have prepared simple and effective ways. Also, remember to check your eye health regularly and follow these tips:
Wear Sunglasses with 100% UV Protection
The most important and practical solution to protect your eyes from UV exposure is to wear sunglasses.
You should wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and label them as UV400 to block all UV rays up to 400 nanometers. Additionally remember UV400 is essential and other things like the darkness of the lenses, etc are not UV protection.
Additionally, the sun’s UV radiation is most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which means UV rays are strongest during this time. If it is possible, reduce your time outdoors during this period, and if you have to go out, wear standard sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Select wraparound sunglasses.
Old sunglasses do not provide standard and efficient coverage like new, standard, and wraparound sunglasses.
These new sunglasses shield your eyes from UV rays and are essential for your eye health. Always remember that UV rays eye damage mostly happens in outdoor activities such as skiing, boating, or trekking. So, wear standard sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Use UV-Blocking Contact Lenses
Some contact lenses are suitable for UV exposure, blocking harmful rays. However, they are not completely protective like sunglasses, so it’s highly recommended to wear sunglasses.
Use UV-Blocking Window
For those who spend a lot of time in the car or at home, installing UV-blocking windows is a good solution against UV exposure, because It can reduce the amount of UV radiation and protect your eyes from UV exposure.
Regular Eye Checkups
The most significant solution is regular eye checkups which are essential for your eye health. Monitoring eye health leads to early detection of eye issues and illness.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist can check your eyes for any illnesses and conditions like cataracts, or macular degeneration related to UV exposure.
FAQ
Are Polarized lenses helpful?
Polarized lenses are helpful. They reduce glare from reflective surfaces, like water or pavement, and improve comfort in bright conditions, But they do not protect against UV rays.
Can UV exposure cause permanent damage to the eyes?
Yes, UV exposure causes permanent damage to the eyes, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancers.
What are the signs of UV eye damage?
The most common signs of UV are redness and irritation (similar to sunburn on the skin), sensitivity to light (photophobia), painful, gritty feeling in the eyes, and difficulty seeing in bright light.
What type of sunglasses protect the eyes from UV rays?
You should wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Look for lenses labeled UV400 to block all UV radiation up to 400 nanometers.
Can UV rays affect the eyes on cloudy days?
Yes. UV exposure is possible on cloudy days, and UV rays can pass through clouds, so always wear sunglasses.
Conclusion
In our lives, spending a lot of time outdoors is unavoidable. So, UV exposure is a serious threat to eye health.
You can protect your eyes easily and reduce the consequences by regular eye checkups and simple tips such as Wearing sunglasses with full UV protection, avoiding going out in peak sun hours, and reducing stress and anxiety.
By taking these precautions, you can ensure your eyes remain healthy, and your vision stays clear for many years.