Eye safety should always be a priority whenever you spend time outdoors. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is all around you when you step outside, especially on a sunny day. UVA and UVB rays penetrate your eyes and cause structural damage. You should wear necessary eye protection to prevent short-term and long-term eye damage from exposure to UV rays. If you want more information about the importance of UV eye protection, here’s what you should know.

 

UV Rays Harm Your Eyes

The National Eye Institute establishes that there is a link between glycation and UV exposure. During glycation, UV light takes the place of oxygen in triggering oxidation in your lens. The result is the development of serious eye ailments such as:

• Corneal sunburn or keratitis. When you step out in the sun without any eye protection, you can experience corneal sunburn or keratitis. The sun burns the cornea, and this leaves you with temporary blindness. This usually affects hikers and skiers who receive more intense sunlight for reflected sunlight from ice, water, or snow and areas of high altitudes.

• Macular degeneration. Research says that macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness among people who are at least 60 years old. This eye condition results from UV damage to the retina’s central part. Without a fully functional retina, your brain cannot receive images and process them.

• Cataracts. This eye condition yellows and clouds your natural lenses resulting in worsening loss of vision. This is common and treatable with cataract surgery.
  
   

UV Rays Harm Your Eyelids

Ultraviolet rays can also harm your eyelids. When you step out in the sun without proper UV-protective eyewear, you expose your eyes and the thin skin that protects them. The skin around your eyes is prone to developing melanoma, BCC (basal cell carcinoma), and SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) due to excessive exposure to harmful UV rays.

 

UV Eye Protection

Eye experts say that adopting simple ways to protect your eyes can help delay or even prevent the development of eye-related diseases. With the following measures, you can keep your eyes and its surrounding skin safe from UV rays:

• Stay in the shade during the sun’s peak hours. It is best to stay indoors when sunlight is very intense, so you can be safe from harmful UV rays.

• Wear UV-protective eyewear at all times. Even if it’s a cloudy day, wear UV-protective sunglasses. Clouds cannot filter out UV radiation.

• Be more careful around reflective surfaces. Intense sunlight bounces off snow, sand, concrete, and water.

• Consider the altitude. Take note that as the altitude increases, UV radiation intensifies.

• Add more sun protection. Make sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat, wraparound UV-protective sunglasses, and even UV-protective contacts. These will protect your eyes and eyelids even more from UV rays.
  
   

You should protect your eyes from harmful UV rays every time you spend time outdoors. That way, you can prevent damage to your eyelids and eyes. At Optical Shoppe, we can provide UV-protective eyewear for your every need and preference. Please visit our showroom in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 225-209-9928 if you want to make inquiries about our UV-protective eyewear.