Protecting Eyes from Ultraviolet Rays May Help Save Vision

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can be very harmful to the body.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.  Yet the most preventable cause of this type of cancer is exposure to UV light.
Eye problems that UV rays can cause include:

Cataract- UV rays, especially UV-B rays, may also cause some kinds of cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, the part of the eye that focuses the light we see.

Corneal Sunburn- Corneal sunburn, called photokeratitis, is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays. Long hours at the beach or skiing without proper eye protection can cause this problem. It can be very painful and may cause temporary vision loss.

Macular Degeneration- UV rays may lead to macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss for older Americans.

Pterygium- A growth that begins on the white of the eye and may involve the cornea. Eventually, the growth may block vision. It is more common in people who work or spend extended periods of time outside in the sun and wind.

Skin Cancer- Skin cancer around the eyelids is also linked to prolonged UV exposure.
There are different types of UV. UV-A radiation has lower energy and penetrates deep into the eye which may injure the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sight in the center field of vision.  UV-B radiation is presumably more dangerous and is mainly absorbed by the cornea and lens of the eye and can damage those tissues.

Read the original article on preventblindness.com


The human eye is an amazing organ that most of us rely on every waking moment of the day.  From morning till night, our vision allows us to see beautiful Florida sunsets, our beloved family and much more.  Here at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, our main goal is to keep you up-to-date on everything related to eye care and eye health.