Sun Effects on Eyes: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Vision

Overview

The sunshine we enjoy brings both benefits and risks. While it boosts our mood and helps produce vitamin D, it also exposes us to harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, which can be harmful to our eyes. While sunscreen protects our skin from ultraviolet exposure, the effects of UV light on the eyes are often overlooked. In this article, we’ll discuss how UV light affects the eyes and the steps you should take to protect your vision.

What is UV Light?

UV light, or Ultraviolet light, is light that has a shorter wavelength when compared to visible light; it’s not visible to the human eye. The sun is a source of UV light, which is subdivided into UV-A, UV-B and UV-C:

UV-C light is the most harmful type of UV light. Luckily, it is completely absorbed by the atmosphere.
UV-B light is harmful and responsible for most cases of sunburn. It’s also known to increase the risk of DNA damage, among other cellular damage in living organisms. Fortunately, 95% of UV-B rays are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere (ozone layer).
UV-A light reaches the Earth’s surface. It penetrates and reaches the ground, making up approximately 95% of the UV radiation that reaches us. This is the UV radiation you should be most worried about, as it has effects on the body¹.

Should Eyes Be Protected from UV Lights?

Absolutely! UV-A rays have a longer wavelength than UV-B rays. As a result, UV-A rays have the ability to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin and eyes.² While UV-B radiation can be naturally absorbed 100% by the lens and cornea, some amounts of UV-A radiation can penetrate and reach the retina, increasing the risk of harmful effects.

Can UV Light Cause Damage to The Eyes?

Yes! Since UV-A radiation makes up most of the radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface, it penetrates the eyes and causes harmful effects and eye conditions, which we will discuss below.

What is Sun Damage to The Eyes?

Exposure to UV-A and UV-B comes with symptoms like pain and discomfort, as well as increases the risk of suffering from certain eye conditions, such as:³

Photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis: Direct sunlight/prolonged exposure can cause inflammation of the cornea (photokeratitis or snow blindness) and/or inflammation of the conjunctiva (photoconjunctivitis). Photoconjunctivitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the membrane lining the inside of the eye socket and eye lids, which is similar to a sunburn of the eyelids.
Pterygium (eye growths): The sun’s UV radiation can also cause the growth of the conjunctiva (formation of pterygia).
Climatic droplet keratopathy: This UV-related eye condition causes spheroidal degeneration of specific parts of the eye (superficial corneal stroma). This condition is common after exposure to high levels of UV in the arctic or tropics.
Cataracts: UV radiation (particularly UV-B) is linked to an increased risk of eye conditions like cataracts. Research suggests that 10% of cataract cases are linked to overexposure to UV radiation.
Cancer of the eye: Exposure to UV light can also cause cancer of the eyeball (uveal melanoma) and basal cell carcinoma (eyelid malignancies).

Can You Sunburn Your Eyes?

Yes! As discussed, UV radiation can cause inflammation of the membrane lining the inside of the eye socket and eyelids, which has effects similar to sunburn.

Why Do My Eyes Hurt in The Sun?

Exposure to UV radiation can cause sunburn on the eyes (photokeratitis) – a painful eye condition that affects parts of the eye (instead of the skin).⁴

Signs of Sun Damage to Eyes

The signs of sun damage to the eyes can depend on the underlying eye condition. However, there are a few common ones. The most notable include:⁵

Eye pain or eye soreness
Eye redness
Watery eyes
Blurred vision
Swelling
Gritty sensation
Sensitivity to light
Headaches

How to Cure Sunburned Eyes

If you think you’ve sunburned your eyes, take these steps immediately:

Get indoors to avoid further light exposure.
Remove contacts to prevent irritation.
Avoid rubbing your eyes; instead, use a cold compress to soothe discomfort and reduce eye soreness
Steer clear of irritants like makeup or salty/chlorinated water.
Rest, as mild sunburned eyes usually heal within 1-2 days.

If symptoms persist or worsen (increased pain, vision changes, swelling, or discharge), see an eye doctor immediately.

How to Treat Sunburned Eyelids

Sunburned eyelids can be painful but can be relieved with a cold compress. Over-the-counter pain medications may also help. Additionally, artificial tears (eye drops) can lubricate the eyes and prevent dryness or a gritty feeling. Always speak to your local Optometrist for best recommendations and treatment plans.

In case of severe pain that doesn’t improve, blistering, significant swelling, signs of infection, blurry vision, and other worrying symptoms, seek medical attention immediately to prevent serious problems, including eye damage, ⁶ temporary vision loss, distorted vision, or permanent damage (complete loss of vision) if the UV exposure causes eye cancer that is left untreated. ⁷

@eyetrusteyecare Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement—they’re your reliable shield against harmful UV rays! 😎🌞 Contrary to misconceptions, wearing sunglasses doesn’t cause sunburns. Instead, they play a crucial role in safeguarding your eyes from UV radiation, which can lead to serious eye conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer. By blocking out UV rays, sunglasses help reduce the risk of these issues and keep your vision clear and healthy. So, don’t forget to rock those shades and protect your eyes in style! #eyehealth #eyeglasses #eyeclinic #torontoclinic #eyecare #glasses #healthtips #sunglasses #eyeexam #healthandwellness #greenscreen ♬ Funk It Up – John Etkin-Bell

What Do UV Protection Sunglasses Do?

UV protection sunglasses work by shielding your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. They are specifically designed with lenses that can reflect or absorb harmful UV light, preventing the harmful rays from reaching your eyes.

How to Choose Sunglasses to Protect Your Eyes?

To get proper eye protection, you need UV protection sunglasses that are made with the right material and/or feature the best UV coating. Consider the following aspects:

Lens Material: Lens materials, such as polycarbonate and trivex, are known to block most UV radiation. High-index lenses, especially those with an index of 1.60 or higher, also generally offer 100% UV protection. These lenses are a great option for people with high prescriptions who want a thinner, lighter pair of glasses as well as UV protection.
UV Coating: The sunglasses also need lenses with a protective coating containing chemicals to absorb or reflect UV radiation. Usually anti-reflective coatings with UV protection can be applied to the back side of the lens as light can come from all directions. This will maximize your eye protection to ensure light is absorbed or reflected from both sides.
Built-in Treatment: In some instances, UV-blocking chemicals can be integrated directly into the lens material of sunglasses during manufacturing.
Specialty Lenses: These include photochromic or Transition lenses where it can be clear indoors and dark outdoors. Transitions lenses claim to block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and filter blue-violet light* indoors and outdoors.⁸

Consider 100% UV protection, which means the sunglasses will block all UV-A and UV-B rays. It also helps to consider parameters like UV400.

Do Contacts Have UV Protection?

Many contact lenses offer similar UV protection to sunglasses by incorporating UV-blocking materials, which shield the cornea from dangerous UVA and UVB rays.

However, not all contact lenses have UV protection. You must check the product details and consult your eye care provider to confirm if your contacts have UV protection.

It’s also worth noting that UV-absorbing contact lenses can’t substitute UV-blocking sunglasses because they only protect the cornea. The eyelids and conjunctiva (clear membrane covering the white part of the eyes) remain exposed to UV even if you have UV-blocking contacts. UV-blocking sunglasses protect the entire eye from all angles. The level of UV protection will also vary, with some UV-blocking contacts offering better protection than others.

Sunglasses FAQs: Our Professionals Respond

1. Are Sunglasses Bad for You?

NO! High-quality sunglasses made from the right materials offer protection from UV rays, reduce glare, shield against debris, prevent eye strain, and enhance vision in bright light.

2. Do Sunglasses Cause Sunburn?

No! Sunglasses (particularly those with UV-blocking lenses/material) offer protection from UV radiation, therefore eliminating the rays that cause sunburn on the eyes. However, not every pair of sunglasses will offer adequate UV protection. An inadequate pair of glasses might result in a sunburn.

3. Will You Not Get a Sunburn If You Wear Sunglasses?

If you wear sunglasses with adequate UV-protection, your eyes will be safe from sunburn and other UV-radiation-linked eye conditions.

4. Are You More Likely to Get a Sunburn If You Wear Sunglasses?

Wearing sunglasses does not increase the likelihood of getting a sunburn. But while they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, they don’t shield your skin from UV exposure, so it’s essential to cover up or wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn on exposed skin.

5. Is It Worse for Your Skin to Only Protect Your Eyes from UV Light with Sunglasses?

Ideally, you should protect both your skin and eyes from harmful UV. For the skin, applying sunscreen will help. For the eyes, you should get sunglasses with UV protection.

6. How Do Sunglasses Work?

Sunglasses work by reducing the quantity of visible light and harmful UV radiation that reaches the eyes. However, the properties of the sunglasses (i.e. material, design, frame and lens quality etc.) ultimately determine the effectiveness of the sunglasses in offering all of its benefits including UV protection.

Protect Your Eyes from The Effects of the Sun with Kodak Lens Vision Centres

We now know the sun’s effects on the eyes and what the best sunglasses to consider are those with UV protection. Avoid sunburns and other eye conditions discussed above with the right pair of sunglasses. We can help you with that!

You can get the best UV-protection sunglasses in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area in any of the seven Kodak Lens Vision Centres (Ajax, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, Rexdale, Toronto, and Riverdale).

Visit us to shop for sunglasses by category, including brand, polarized lenses, prescription sunglasses and more. We welcome all walk-ins and visitors. Contact us through our website if you have any questions.

Explore other eye care services, or schedule an eye exam for eye sunburn or any other related eye conditions. Book an annual and comprehensive eye health appointment with experienced Toronto optometrists at your earliest convenience.

Book An Appointment

References