OPHTHALMOLOGY

Gregory Eippert, MD

Q:I do a lot of things outdoors year-round. Most of the time I remember to bring and use my sunglasses but not always. How concerned should I be about possible damage to my eyes from minimal exposure to the sun and UV rays?

A:Our eyes, like our skin, are susceptible to damage from excessive, non-protected exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays. Excess sun exposure can put people at risk of serious short-term and long-terms eye problems. Short-term problems may include surface damage to the cornea from sunburned eyes, and temporary vision loss as with glare from snow blindness or a burned cornea. Long-term sun exposure can increase the risk factors of and exacerbate several eye conditions including cataracts, macular degeneration, growths on the eye such as a pterygium, freckles (nevus) in the eye, and melanoma.

Damage to the eyes from excessive sun exposure can happen quickly, occurs yearround on both sunny and bright cloudy days, and its effects can build up over time with consistent exposure. Whereas our eyes do have some natural defenses that help protect them from sun exposure, such as pupil constriction, squinting reflex, and the concave shape of the eye socket shielded by the eyebrow, these alone do not provide complete protection.

Here are some steps you can take to help protect your eyes and reduce the risk of eye damage from the sun. One: wear sunglasses even on bright but cloudy days. Select sunglasses that are labeled UV400 or 100 percent UV Blocking/Protection, are polarized (to help with glare, especially on water), and that have dark gray lenses. Note, the darkness of color of the lenses doesn’t indicate strength of UV protection. Two: consider wearing a hat with a broad brim to further shade your eyes. Three: wear your sunglasses in the car while driving. Whereas the windshield may block up to 96 percent of UV light, the side windows often block only 71 percent of UV light according to recent studies. Four: Check the labels on any medications you take to see if they cause photosensitivity. If this is indicated, make sure to protect your skin and eyes and avoid sun exposure when possible. Five: Don’t stare at the sun. Directly gazing into the sun for prolonged periods can burn holes in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye needed for central vision. Six: If using a tanning bed, use eye protection. Eyelids are very thin and even if one’s eyes are closed, the high levels of UV rays can still reach the eyes and be damaging.

Remember, while it is important to protect your eyes from excess exposure to the sun, your eyes also need minimal exposure to natural light to maintain the sleep-wake cycle and help your body produce vitamin D. The bottom line concerning your eyes and the sun is use protective eyewear and keep sun exposure to a minimum. If you have any questions or concerns about the sun, UV rays, and its effect on your eyes, talk with your eye doctor and schedule a complete exam to monitor the health of your eyes.