What damage does the sun or ultraviolet light do to the eyes?

Skin is not the only thing that can be damaged by sunlight; your eyes can also be affected by excessive exposure to bright light and ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV-A and UV-B rays can contribute to cataracts (a permanent clouding of the lens inside the eye that reduces vision), as well as age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss and legal blindness among Americans over 60 years of age). UV light also causes the surface of the eye (conjunctiva and sclera) to discolour and become lumpy (pinguecula and pterygium), which can look ugly and make the eye more prone to drying and other irritation. Acute sunburn to the eyes causes ’snow blindness’ or ‘welder’s flash’, which is where the surface layers of the eye peel away and can cause from mild to extreme pain and discomfort and reduced vision until the surface layers grow back.

To avoid harmful sun damage, take measures to protect yourself: wear sunglasses that block both glare and 99 to 100 % of UV-A and UV-B rays. UV protection is also available for your clear prescription glasses, in all lens types. Select frames that shield light and rays from all angles – wrap-around sunglasses are the best choice. Also, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours when the rays are strongest, are other ways to protect yourself. Take note, clouds aren’t effective filters of the harmful rays, so be sure to wear your sunglasses on bright, cloudy days too!’

Tags: consejos oftalmologicos, consejos visuales, eye protection, harm, harmful sun, ultraviolet light, wear sunglasses

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