Ultraviolet (UV) Protection Protecting your Eyes from Solar Radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) Protection

Protecting your Eyes from Solar Radiation

The sun supports life on our planet, but its life-giving rays also pose dangers. The sun’s primary danger is in the form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Artificial sources, like welding machines, tanning beds and lasers, can also produce UV radiation.

Most people are aware of how harmful UV radiation is to the skin. However, many may not realize that UV radiation can harm the eyes, and other components of solar radiation can also affect vision. There are three types of UV radiation. UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not present any threat. However, UV-A and UV-B radiation can have long- and short-term negative effects on the eyes and vision.

If your eyes are exposed to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time, you will likely experience photokeratitis. Like a “sunburn of the eye,” photokeratitis can be painful. Its symptoms include red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tearing. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary and rarely cause permanent damage to the eyes.

The longer the eyes are exposed to solar radiation, the greater the risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration later in life. It is not clear how much exposure to solar radiation will cause damage. Therefore, whenever you spend time outdoors, wear quality sunglasses that offer UV protection and a hat or cap with a wide brim. Don’t forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

This UV exposure adds up over time: The exposure while on the beach as a child combines with sun exposure as you age, in many cases resulting in problems later in life.

Most of the UV rays that pass through the pupil of the eye are absorbed by the crystalline lens of the eye. Over time, the cumulative effects of UV radiation may cause cataracts in the lens of the eye.

Solar radiation also reaches the surface of the eye from above, below, and from the side. It is concentrated by the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye, on tissues located on the opposite side of the eye. This peripheral UV radiation, over years of exposure, may result in nasal or inferonasal cataracts and tissue elevations on the surface of the eye called pingueculae and pterygia.

The American Optometric Association recommends the use of sunglasses whose lenses absorb 99-100% of UV-A and UV-B rays.

Wrap-around style sunglasses can further help prohibit UV radiation from reaching the eye from above, below and the sides.

Talk to your doctor of optometry about your outdoor activities in all seasons so that your risk of UV exposure can be assessed and the appropriate UV absorbing glasses and/or contact lenses prescribed for your individual needs.

By Jane Therrien OD, FIAOMC, Optometric Physician

⊲ For a consultation or more information, you can reach Dr. Therrien at Weston Family

Eyecare, 4472 Weston Road, or call 954-8889393. Dr. Therrien and her staff look forward to exceeding your expectations.