How UV Exposure Can Damage Your Eyes

UV exposure can negatively affect your eyes and, subsequently, your vision. There are cases where exposure leads to conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis, pterygium, and pinguecula. Thus, it's important to always protect your eyes.

 

UV Wavelengths and Light 

The invisible light spectrum has UVA, UVB, and UVC within it.

 

• UVA - This penetrates the skin the most. UVA light makes up 95 percent of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches earth. It is responsible for causing both aging and tanning of the skin. Because of its ability to penetrate deeper than other types of UV, it affects the eyes and skin’s inner layers
   

• UVB - This affects the outer layer of the epidermis. It results in blistering, sunburn, or even skin cancer. When it comes to the eyes, it affects the clear front part of your eyeballs or the cornea. This causes a lot of tearing, severe eye irritation, and sensitivity to light
   

• UVC - This causes the most skin damage. Fortunately, the majority of UVC does not reach us because the ozone layer absorbs it
  
   

Signs and Symptoms Your Eyes Have Been Damaged by UV Exposure

Sun exposure may result in symptoms such as general pain of the eyes, tearing, eye redness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. Paying attention to such symptoms and going to the doctor can help prevent or treat certain eye conditions at an early stage.

 

Eye Conditions Caused by UV Exposure

Short-term and long-term UV exposure have effects, such as:

 

Photokeratitis

Photokeratitis, or ultraviolet keratopathy, is the first eye condition that can result from UV exposure. This is caused by short-term exposure to the sun’s rays, like spending a day at the beach. It is a swelling or inflammation of the clear front covering of your eye called the cornea. This is usually a temporary condition that can be treated with antibiotics, cold presses, or artificial teardrops.

 

Pinguecula

This condition presents itself as a yellow or white raised bump within the conjunctiva. This condition is common in people living in dusty, sandy, and sunny places.

 

Pterygium

With long-term sun exposure, a pinguecula can grow from the eye’s white part into the clear front part of the eye called the cornea. If the growth persists, it could lead to scarring of the cornea, hence causing permanent vision loss.

 

Cataracts

Long-term exposure to the sun leads to cataracts. Years of exposure to the sun can cause the lens of your eyes to become opaque, thus altering your vision.

 

Macular Degeneration

Long-term sun exposure can cause macular degeneration or damage to the retinal tissue. This damages your central vision, thus resulting in blurred vision and eventually blank spaces in your vision. 

 

How to Shield Your Eyes From UV Exposure 

Hats and baseball caps can only block some of the sun’s UV rays. When you wear a hat, ensure it is wide-brimmed. You can get sunglasses that can block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from damage. Develop a habit of wearing sunglasses all year round once you step outside. UV 400 glasses can get the job done. It is also vital to avoid direct sun from mid-morning to late afternoon.

 

When to See a Doctor 

The longer your exposure to the sun is, the severe the damage and conditions you will develop. If you develop any problems with your vision, see your doctor.


 

For more on UV exposure and damage to eyes, contact St. Marys Family Eyecare at our office in St Marys, Ohio. You can call 419-800- 0400 today to schedule an appointment.