Many people are aware of the risks of sunburn and skin cancer from the sun’s rays but Ultraviolet (UV) and other radiation from the sun can also harm your eyes. Exposure to UV rays can cause damage to the skin of the eye lid as well as the cornea, lens and macular. Therefore, wearing lenses with maximum UV protection is so very important. Although UV rays are invisible to the human eye, they are always present outdoors. Overtime UV can contribute to the development of cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis and pterygia.
There are three kinds of UV rays. UVC are the highest energy rays, but luckily get blocked out by the ozone layer. UVB causes sunburn, skin discolouration, wrinkles and pterygia. UVA radiation is linked to cataract and macular degeneration
Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors is at greater risk for eye problems from UV. The risk of damage changes from day to day depending on a few factors such as geographic location, altitude, time of day and medications.
Standard glasses won’t shield your eyes from harmful UV, sunglasses or a clip-on are needed. Eyeglasses and sunglasses can have UV protection built into the lens or applied as a treatment. Be sure to select eyewear that provides as close to 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays as possible. The wrap around close fitting frame style provides the best protection because they limit how much stray sunlight reaches your eye from above and past the periphery of the sunglasses. Wearing a wide brimmed hat while out in the sun can reduce the eyes exposure to UV rays.
Children need UV protection even more than adults as they spend more time outdoors than adults. The risk of damage to our eyes and skin from UV is cumulative. Children have a clearer lens in their eye enabling more UV to penetrate deep into the eye
Having dark skin may reduce the risk of skin cancer but all eyes are at the same risk whether that are dark or light. As long as you are prepared and have the correct eye and skin protection you need not fear the outdoors and sunny days.