Protect Your Vision with UV Safety Precautions | Ultraviolet Awareness and Healthy Vision Month

​Summer is a great time of year to enjoy the long days, warm nights, and sunshine.  All that sun exposure can damage your eyes. You probably know ultraviolet rays from the sun can lead to skin cancer and contribute to wrinkles and lines. UV rays also can increase your risk of various eye conditions. July is Ultraviolet Awareness and Healthy Vision Month, and it is a great reminder to take precautions to avoid eye damage from the sun.  

Everyone is at risk of damage to the eyes from UV rays, but there are certain circumstances that appear to increase your risk including:

• Having light-colored eyes may increase your sensitivity to light and increases your risk of problems.
• Taking certain medications may increase your sensitivity to sun damage.
• History of cataract surgery, especially if it was several years ago, may also increase your risk. Older artificial lenses may not be as effective at protecting the eyes from UV rays as newer ones.

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UV Rays and Eye Diseases

Exposure to UV rays is associated with various eye conditions, some of which are serious and can lead to vision loss. For example, sun exposure is considered a risk factor for developing cataracts. Cataracts occur when the lens in the eye becomes cloudy. It’s a common condition as we age. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cataracts are enhanced by UVB exposure.  

Photokeratitis can also develop due to UV exposure. The condition involves inflammation of the cornea. Think of it is a sunburn of the eye. Symptoms of photokeratitis usually start within a few hours of exposure and last about a day. Symptoms may include a gritty feeling in the eye, light sensitivity, and blurry vision.

Too much UV exposure also increases your risk of skin cancer around the eyes and on the eyelids. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that most often skin cancer around the eyes develops on the lower eyelid. 
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Kids and UV Exposure

According to The Vision Council, about 12 percent of parents reported in a survey that they do not take any precautions to protect their children’s eyes or skin around the eyes from sun damage. That unprotected sun exposure can lead to problems with the eyes later in life.

Children tend to get about three times as much sun exposure as adults. They may also be more suspectable to eye damage than adults. It’s believed that a child’s lens does not filter out UV harm as efficiently as an adult’s lens. This can mean more radiation reaches a child’s retina. It’s essential that parents encourage their kids to wear sunglasses and hats to protect against sun damage. 
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How to Protect Your Eyes

You don’t have to spend all your time indoors during the summer to keep your eyes healthy, but it is helpful to take several precautions to decrease your risk of eye damage from UV rays. Consider the following suggestions:

• Wear sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses is one of the best ways to protect your eyes. Buy glasses that are labeled 100% UV protection on the lens. Wraparound styles are especially good since they block the sun’s rays from the sides as well as the front.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Sunglasses alone are not enough. If you’re spending a lot of time outside, such as a day at the pool or beach, wear a hat, which provides additional protection.
• Seek a little shade. When spending a lot of time outdoors during the day, try to find a little bit of shade to give your skin and eyes a break from the sun.
• Wear sunscreen. It might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s essential to wear sunscreen every day, and don’t forget to put it around your eyes. Keep in mind that UV rays penetrate glass, so you are exposed even if you’re driving or riding in a car.

We hope the tips above will help protect your eyes and your family’s eyes from UV damage. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists, please call our office at 508-746-8600.