It’s become second nature to wear protective clothing like a hat, or lather up in sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, unfortunately the same can’t be said for our eyes. Year round, our eyes are exposed to invisible ultraviolet radiation (UV), which causes cumulative damage as we age.
Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays can lead to many eye issues, including:
- Age-related macular degeneration;
- Cataracts;
- Skin cancer on the eyelid;
- Age spots; and
- Tissue growths.
To prevent or reduce the risk of sun damage, follow these tips when in the sun:
- Avoid the ‘high-risk’ hours. The sun’s UV rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., when the sun is at its highest. Be cautious of early and late hours as, those are times when the sun is at an angle and rays may slip through the gaps of your sunglasses.
- Be wary of high doses of UV exposure. Those who work outside are naturally prone to UV overexposure. If you work outdoors, remember to protect your eyes by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
- Wear your sunglasses. Sport sunglasses with anti-UV coatings at all hours of the day, even when it looks cloudy, UV rays are out in full force.
- Recognize the warning signs. Immediate pain and inflammation of the cornea are signs of a UV burn. See your optometrist right away if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
Remember that sun damage prevention is key to maintaining happy healthy eyes.
Tags: Age Related Macular Degeneration, cataracts, pterygium, skin cancer, sun protection, sunglasses, uv rays