How to Protect Your Eyes Against Sun Damage

The sun’s UV light is not only harmful to the skin; it can also cause damage to your eyes. Overexposure to the sun can lead to sunburned eyes with symptoms like redness in the eyes, light sensitivity, blurry vision and more — a condition known as photokeratitis or ultraviolet keratitis.

While the symptoms of photokeratitis often go away in a couple of days, long term exposure to UV light may result in cataracts and other eye diseases. That is why it’s important to protect your eyes, especially when you are outdoors.

In this article, Downtown Eyes shares more information about sunburned eyes as well as tips on how you can prevent and reverse sun damage.

Sun Damage

The sun emits UV radiation, which can damage your eyes if they are not protected. There are three categories of UV radiation that you should be aware of: UVC, UVB and UVA.

• UVC has the highest potential for harm. But fortunately, the earth’s ozone layer almost completely blocks this type of radiation. However, due to the depletion of the ozone, we may still be exposed to a certain amount of UVC.

• UVB is a slightly weaker type of UV ray and it is what causes you to have a suntan. When exposed to high doses of UVB, a number of issues in your skin and eyes may occur.

• UVA is the weakest type of UV radiation. It is not typically associated with eye and skin problems, but it can still pass through the cornea and possibly cause some types of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Symptoms

Generally, the risk of your eyes getting damaged by the sun is cumulative — meaning the longer your eyes are exposed to UV rays, the greater the risk of damage to your eyes.

It may not always be easy to tell when you are already being exposed to too much sunlight. But if you are looking at an area near the sun and it is hurting your eyes, you are likely being overexposed. Furthermore, if you develop symptoms of ultraviolet keratitis, it’s a clear indication that you have been overexposed to the sun. Some symptoms that you should look out for include the following:

• light sensitivity

• seeing halos

• blurry vision

• redness or discomfort in the eyes

• eyelid twitching

• gritty feeling in the eyes

• swelling

• temporary loss of vision

• headache

• eye pain

• constricted, pinpoint pupils

These symptoms typically last from six to 24 hours, but in some cases, they can be experienced for up to 48 hours. If you are experiencing loss of vision that does not improve in a few hours, you should call an optician or eye specialist to ensure that your eyes are fine.

Treatments

As mentioned earlier, photokeratitis resolves on its own in one or two days. That’s why treatment for this condition usually focuses on reducing the symptoms and the discomfort. Your doctor may recommend pain relievers or antibiotic eye drops.

You can also try these tips to relieve your sunburned eyes:

• Remove your contact lenses to let your eyes heal.

• Place a cool compress over closed eyes.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes as this could only further irritate your eye.

• Ask your doctor if you can use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes.

• If you have eyelash extensions, consult your doctor if it would be better to have them removed or to leave them on as your eyes heal.

Protecting Your Eyes Against Sun Damage

As a rule of thumb, you should always have with you a pair of sunnies and a hat to avoid overexposure to the eyes. And if possible, avoid staying outdoors between 10 am and 4 pm.

Below are some more tips on protecting your eyes against sun damage in different environments:

Water

Keep in mind that sunlight can reflect off of water and sand. So if you’re at a beach, lake, dock, boat or pool, make sure that your eyes are protected as you’ll be exposed to UV in these locations.

City

In the city, sunlight can reflect off of buildings, vehicles and concrete streets. Furthermore, it doesn’t really matter if it’s sunny or hazy because UV rays can affect your eyes and skin in either of these conditions.

Mountain

Remember that sunlight can also reflect off of snow and ice. So if you’re planning to try mountain climbing, skiing or snowboarding, make sure that you have the right gear to protect your eyes. Otherwise, you might suffer from a type of photokeratitis known as snow blindness.

In some cases, snow blindness can cause the corneal surface to become extremely dry or freeze. This condition commonly happens in the North and South Poles, but it can also occur at higher altitudes where the air is thin. Thinner air usually means there is less protection from UV rays, so it makes your eyes more vulnerable.

Artificial UV Light

Some common sources of artificial UV light are arc welding machines and reptile basking bulbs (a type of bulb that emits UVB and is commonly used in pet stores and reptile enclosures). Tanning beds can also pose risks to your eyes since they produce up to 100 times the amount of UV rays that the sun does. So when you use tanning beds, make sure that your eyes are adequately protected during the session.

When to See a Doctor

If the symptoms of sunburned eyes have been bothering you for more than two days, see your doctor and have an eye exam. They may prescribe you with medication if it is needed. Furthermore, you should definitely see a doctor if you begin having problems with your vision or you have any of the following symptoms:

• blurred, dim, fuzzy, or distorted vision

• problems with night vision

• glare or light sensitivity

• shadowy areas in your middle field of vision

• seeing halos

Also, keep in mind that longer exposure to UV rays can cause serious eye conditions over time. That is why it is important to go to your eye doctor regularly. This way, you can make sure your eyes are still OK or find out if your eyes are already starting to develop problems.

You should also pay attention to your eyelids since these are vulnerable areas of the body. Eyelids can get skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma can spread to the eye itself if it develops in the eyelid.

If you notice any of these symptoms on your eyelid, have it checked by a dermatologist:

• eyelash loss

• discolored eyelid growth (red, black or brown)

• breaks in the skin the do not go away

• changes in skin texture

• swelling or thickening of the skin

Schedule an Appointment Today!

a trusted optometric practice that ensures the highest quality of eye care for every patient. We also offer an array of eyewear products and optical services that meet various needs. Our team of eye doctors perform eye examination, contact lens fittings and LASIK surgery co-management. We also provide treatment for eye diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic eye disease. Call us at (612) 333-EYES (3937) or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas.