The sun and our vision | Protecting eye health in the sun

*Updated July 2024

The sun brightens our days, but ultraviolet (UV) rays can pose serious risks to our eye health. Prolonged exposure to these rays can lead to various forms of eye damage, some of which can have lasting effects.

Protecting your eyes from damaging UV rays is important whether you spend a lot of time outside or not. Explore the relationship between sunlight and your eye health, the types of damage it can cause, and how you can effectively protect your eyes.

Understanding UV radiation and eye health

To better understand how exposure to UV radiation can impact your eyes, you should know how it works.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the energy emitted from the sun and artificial light sources like tanning beds. UV rays fall in the middle of the energy spectrum, which includes X-rays and gamma rays at the high end and radio waves at the low end.

UV rays are categorized based on their energy levels (UVA, UVB, and UVC). While higher-energy UV rays can damage cell DNA and lead to cancer, even the most potent UV rays primarily affect outer tissues since they can’t penetrate deeply into the body.

UVC rays contain a lot of energy, but naturally occurring UVC rays are typically dispersed in the atmosphere. However, UVC rays can also come from man-made sources. UVA and UVB rays don’t contain as much energy, but they’re known to lead to cell damage and skin cancer. They can also cause damage to the tissues that make up your eyes.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “UV light ages all structures of the eye. Corneal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration are all possible chronic effects from UV exposure and can ultimately lead to decreased vision.”

Eye conditions caused by unprotected sun exposure

Unprotected exposure to the sun and its rays can lead to several eye conditions including:

• Corneal sunburn: Corneal sunburn occurs when the cornea is overexposed to UV rays. Also known as photokeratitis, corneal sunburns can cause pain, blurred vision, headache, tearing, and more. A vision doctor most often diagnoses a corneal sunburn by asking about your recent activities.
• Cataracts: Our eyes have a natural lens. When that lens becomes cloudy, it’s known as a cataract. This can cause double vision, light sensitivity, and bright colors to appear faded. Aging and exposure to UV light without eye protection can cause cataracts to develop.
• Cancer: The exact cause of most eye cancers is still being researched, but there are known links between eye cancer and other health conditions and lifestyle choices. Researchers theorize that too much exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for uveal or conjunctival melanoma of the eye—similarly to how it causes melanoma of the skin. Additionally, race/ethnicity, eye color, age, gender, genetics, and family history are all risk factors for eye cancer. Learn more about eye cancer at cancer.org.
• Macular degeneration: The macula is a part of the retina at the back of our eye that helps you see very specific details of things you look at. Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects the macula. It can lead to blurry, deteriorated vision. High sun exposure increases your risk for macular degeneration, which can develop rapidly or over time as you age.
• Growths on the eye (pterygium): Ultraviolet radiation, sometimes in combination with the wind, can cause pterygium to develop. Also known as surfer’s eye, a pterygium is a tissue growth on the eyeball that can cause some discomfort and even blurred vision. Though benign, they can cause a burning feeling or the sensation that something is trapped in the eye.

How to protect your eye health in the sun

The best way to protect your vision and eye health from sun damage is to take preventive measures, especially while outside.

Here are some simple ways to protect your eyes while outside:

• Wear wide-brimmed hats
• Wear sunglasses with UV-blocking lenses
• Avoid being outside when the sun is the strongest
• Never look directly at the sun
• Encourage children to wear hats and sunglasses

Take care of your eye health for years to come

Understanding the risks associated with UV radiation is crucial for protecting your eye health. By taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of UV-related health issues now and in the future.

Remember, regular eye exams are vital to detect any early signs of damage and to maintain overall eye health.

If you have a concern about your vision, click here to find a vision doctor near you.

Looking for more ways to take care of your vision? Check out this blog.