Are Certain People More Vulnerable to UV Eye Damage? | UV Safety Month

Most people know that damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays can lead to sunburn and increase their risk of skin cancer, but UV rays can also damage your eyes. UV rays can easily penetrate the eye's tissues.  Over time, unprotected sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer around the eyes, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.

Are certain people at a higher risk of UV eye damage? The answer is yes. Although everyone is at risk for sun damage, some people may be especially vulnerable to UV eye damage.
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July is UV Safety Month. It is designed to raise awareness of the potential harm from excessive UV exposure and to teach you how to protect yourself.  

What populations are more susceptible to UV eye damage? 

Everyone should take precautions when it comes to UV exposure, but certain populations are at increased risk of eye damage from excessive sun exposure, including those listed below. 

Children: Children often spend more time outside than adults playing, swimming, and enjoying everyday activities. They also may be less likely to keep sunglasses on consistently. Additionally, the lens of a child's eye also allows more UV light to reach the retina than the lens of an adult. 

UV damage is also cumulative. This means that if children sustain a lot of UV exposure over the years, they may develop long-term consequences in adulthood. 

Contact lens wearers: Some contact lens wearers might not wear sunglasses because their lenses may provide varying levels of UV protection, but this leads to a false sense of security. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the lenses are not enough to provide adequate sun protection. Lenses do not provide protection for the conjunctiva, eyelid, and the surrounding skin, leaving the wearer susceptible to damage. 

People with light-colored eyes: People with lighter-colored eyes, such as blue or green, have less pigment in their irises than those with dark brown eyes. Having greater pigment provides slightly more natural protection from the sunlight.

So, individuals with lighter colored eyes generally have less pigment and less natural protection. Although people with any eye color can develop UV damage, lighter eyes may increase your risk. 

Outdoor workers: People who work outdoors, such as landscapers, construction workers, and road crews, spend several hours each workday in direct sunlight. Outdoor workers often experience significantly more UV exposure than those who work indoors. Although protective eyewear and UV-blocking sunglasses are vital for everyone, they're essential for those who work outdoors. 
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How to protect your eyes from UV damage

It is relatively easy to protect your eyes from UV damage by doing the following. 

• Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. 
• Consider wraparound styles that protect the skin around the eye.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors for extra protection.
• Apply sunscreen to the skin around the eyes and the eyelids. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends 100% mineral sunscreen because it tends to be less irritating around the eyes. 
• Try to take breaks in the shade or inside when possible to decrease your risk of UV exposure.
• Remember to wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen even on overcast days because UV rays can penetrate the clouds. 

We hope the above information reinforces the need to protect your eyes from excess sun exposure. 

If you have any questions about how to protect your eyes from UV damage or if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.