![]() ![]() UV rays are harmful to your skin, and they age you a bit more each day by creating new wrinkles, sun spots and looseness in the skin around your eyes. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure is responsible for 80% of visible signs of aging. 5 eye conditions caused by sun exposure 1. ![]() These are the top 5 eye conditions that can result from sun damage - and your options for treatment. But with all that fun you’re having, are you blinded to the dangers of sun exposure? Your eyes will thank you later.Laying out at the pool, building sandcastles on the beach, tossing a flying disc at the park - these are typical “fun in the sun” activities. “Be outdoor smart and make sure you are protecting your skin with sunscreen and eyes with proper eyewear and a wide-brimmed hat. “UV rays reflect off sand, water, ice or snow during activities such as hanging out at the beach, snowboarding or skiing, hiking, sailing or fishing,” says Dr. Long-term chronic exposure can also lead to tissue buildup on the eye, called pinguecula or pterygium. Protecting your eyes from the sun reduces the risk for developing certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, eyelid cancers or macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes vision loss. Why is it important to protect your eyes from the sun? For additional protection, you can also wear a large, wide-brimmed hat. Wear sunglasses whenever you are outdoors, even on cloudy days, because UV rays can penetrate clouds. UV-blocking goggles are also an option for protection during winter activities. The best way to protect your eyes is to wear proper eye protection, such as sunglasses, that block 99% to 100% of UVA/UVB rays. ![]() An eye care physician may prescribe eye drops for treatment. The condition can sometimes resolve without treatment in a few hours to days, but if the pain is severe or your vision has been affected, then medical treatment is needed. Take an over-the-counter, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and irritation to the eye. Try artificial tears to lubricate the eyes and reduce the gritty feeling. Use a washcloth to create a cold compress and place it over closed eyes to reduce pain and swelling. The following steps can also provide relief: If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them to prevent further irritation. Try to stay indoors or wear UV-blocking sunglasses to reduce the amount of light exposure. If you have symptoms from photokeratitis, avoid rubbing your eyes. Other symptoms include redness, a gritty feeling and swelling in the eyes blurred vision watery eyes sensitivity to bright light headache seeing halos and twitching of the eyelids. Just as having a sunburn on the skin can be painful and uncomfortable, photokeratitis can cause pain to the eyes. Jennifer Tam, a Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group optometrist, answers your top 4 questions about sunburned eyes. Exposure to UV rays can cause inflammation within the eye, specifically to the corneas.ĭr. We all know the damaging effects the sun can have on our skin, but did you know you can get a sunburn on your eyes?Īn eye sunburn, called photokeratitis, occurs when ultraviolet (UV) rays cause damage to the surface of the eyes.
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