email
printThe Vision Council > Consumers > Eye Health + Wellness > UV Protection
UV Protection
Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is responsible for many serious health issues including damage to eyes, skin cancers and other skin disorders. While many people are aware of the benefits of protecting skin with clothing and sunscreen to prevent unnecessary UV exposure, they do not take the same precautions to defend their eyes.
Most of the time we don't even realize the damaging effects of UV radiation as it is invisible to the eye. However, out of sight should not mean out of mind when it comes to UV radiation. This is why you should make sure you and your family always wears sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays while spending time outdoors during the day.
Sunburn for the Eyes
Just as sun can damage your skin - burning, wrinkling, skin cancer and premature aging, it can be just as nasty on the eyes. Too much unprotected exposure to UV can cause "photokeratitis." Just like a sunburn on our skin, photokeratitis is sunburn of the eye. It hurts, makes the eyes red, sensitive to light and tearful. These symptoms usually clear up quickly and cause no permanent damage to the eye. But, unprotected exposure over long periods of time can and often does damage the eye, and the effects aren't good. This exposure can greatly increase the chances of cataracts and damage to the retina. Both conditions can seriously impair vision, and it is rarely possible to reverse either.
Keep Your Child's Eyes in Sight
Children spend a majority of their time in the summer outside and are therefore more susceptible to harmful UV rays. "Millions of parents are putting their children's vision at risk," said Susan Taub, M.D., F.A.C.S., of the Taub Eye Clinic in Chicago, IL. "The sun can do as much damage to your eyes as it can to your skin. This is especially true for children, whose risk is higher because the lens in their eye doesn't block as much UV rays and because they spend so much time outside."
Tips for Parents
- Almost 50% of parents report that their children "seldom" or "never" wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
- Although 82% of parents feel it is important for children to wear sunglasses and 91% feel sunscreen should be worn, children are two times more likely to wear sunscreen than they are sunglasses.
- The lens in a child's eye does not block as much UV radiation as in an adult's eye, putting them at increased risk for sun damage to the eyes.
- Adults also need to take precaution when they are in the sun. Before you go out without a pair of sunglasses again take note of the facts about UV damage. Certain medications, such as birth control pills, sulfa drugs, diuretics and tranquilizers can increase your risk to eye disease or impairment.
- Damage can include blurred vision, change in color vision or difficulty seeing at night.
- UV radiation can cause macular degeneration, cataracts, cancer among other diseases.
Furthermore, the damage from harmful UVA and UVB radiation is cumulative over a person's lifetime and may contribute to serious age-related diseases of the eye and sensitive areas around the eye. Because the damage is cumulative, it is important to protect eyes every day in all light conditions.
The Importance of Sunglasses
Protecting yourself and your children from the effect of UV rays on your eyes is easy! Wearing sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays is the best way to shield your eyes from the sun as well as dirt, dust and other particles that can irritate the eyes. An optician can assist you in finding a pair of sunglasses to fit your vision needs and your lifestyle! Click here to learn more about sunglasses.
*All content on this page has been approved by The Better Vision Institute – the medical advisory panel of The Vision Council.
