It’s common knowledge that UV light from the sun is damaging to the skin. But did you know that UV light also has the potential to harm your eyes?
UV, or ultraviolet, light can be very harmful to your eyes without protective sunglasses. Here are the main risks of UV light exposure for your eyes:
Sunburn
Sunburns aren’t only for the skin; sunburns of the eyes, called photokeratitis, can also occur. This type of sunburn tends to occur when your eyes are exposed to excess levels of UV radiation without protection in a short period. Symptoms of photokeratitis can be highly uncomfortable, often including severe light sensitivity, a gritty feeling in the eyes, and extreme tearing.
Increased Risk of Eye Conditions
Exposing the eyes to high amounts of UV radiation can increase your risk of developing eye conditions. Eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration tend to appear in patients aged 50 and over. Unfortunately, both of these also can cause vision loss. UV ray exposure can make it more likely that you’ll develop these conditions. By wearing sunglasses that block out UV rays, however, you can prevent damaging UV radiation and protect your eyes against cataracts and macular degeneration.
Skin Cancer
When you’re not wearing protective sunglasses, your eyelids are exposed to UV radiation. The eyelids are made of skin and, therefore, can develop skin cancer. In fact, the skin surrounding the eyes is far more delicate than the skin on the rest of the face. This makes it more likely to incur damage from UV rays. So, your sunglasses should cover the skin around your eyes to reduce your risk of skin cancer in this area.
For expert eye care in Zephyrhills, Florida, contact The Eye Clinic of Florida today.