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As temperatures soar and we spend more time in the sun, OCB eye doctors ask that you protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Most people are not as aware of the need to protect their eyes as they are about protecting their skin, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
However, excess sun exposure can put people at risk of serious short-term and long-term eye problems. UV rays can burn the cornea and cause temporary blindness in a matter of hours. Long-term sun exposure has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts, benign growths on or near the eye such as pterygium and pingueculas as well as cancerous growths in and around the eye.
““Just as your dermatologist may tell you to put on sunscreen to protect your skin from UV light, the tissues of the eye, including the ocular surface, cornea, and eyelids also
require protection from the damaging effects of UV light,” said OCB cornea specialist Daniel Hu, MD.
There are many different causes of cataracts, and one of them is exposure to UV light, said Dr. Hu.
“Aging, and certain medications play a role, but we also believe that exposure to UV light can cause changes to the proteins of your lens that may hasten the onset of cataracts,” he shared. “So UV protection is needed to protect your eye from sun damage but it will also prevent the acceleration of cataracts as well.”
A type of cancer of the eye that can develop is known as ocular melanoma and it originates in the cells of the eye that produce pigment. Ocular melanomas usually begins in the middle of the three layers of your eye. Because most eye melanomas do not cause early symptoms and emerge in the part of the eye you cannot see in a mirror, they can be difficult to detect.Ocular melanoma is rare, and is believed to have a genetic cause. However, sun exposure over time can increase the risk of developing this cancer in those who are genetically predisposed to it. Most melanomas are discovered during a routine eye exam, so it is important to have regular eye exams.
The following precautions will help you protect your eyes.
Wear the right sunglasses – Look for those labeled “UV400” or “100 percent UV protection” when buying sunglasses. Less costly sunglasses with this label can be just as effective as the expensive kind. 
Avoid staring at the sun – Directly gazing at the sun can burn holes in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye needed for central vision. This condition is called solar retinopathy. While rare, the damage is irreversible.
Check your medication labels – One in three adults uses medication that could make the eyes more vulnerable to UV ray damage, according to a sun safety survey by the Academy. These include certain antibiotics, birth control and estrogen pills, and psoriasis treatments containing psoralen. Check the labels on your prescriptions to see if they cause photosensitivity. If so, make sure to protect your skin and eyes or avoid sun exposure when possible.
Know that clouds do not block UV light. The sun’s rays can pass through haze and clouds.
Sunlight is strongest midday to early afternoon, at higher altitudes and when
reflected off of water, ice or snow.
Summer sunlight and warm weather should be enjoyed and healthy exposure to sunlight can have positive effects! Just remember to keep your eyes protected.
