Summer paints a picture of bright skies, warm temperatures and days spent outdoors. But with more sunshine comes increased exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light – a type of invisible radiation from the sun that can affect vision over time. Understanding how UV light interacts with the eyes is an essential step in protecting your family’s long-term eye health.
What is UV light?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a natural part of sunlight and comes in three forms – UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere, but UVA and UVB rays penetrate the surface and can affect our eyes, even when cloudy and bright, whatever the time of year.
Here’s a closer look at the two types of UV rays that impact eye health:
UVA rays: have longer wavelengths and can reach the back of your eyes, which means that exposure over time can contribute to retinal eye conditions.
UVB rays: shorter and more intense, they reach the surface of your eye and are linked to short-term eye problems or corneal damage.
Why UV light matters for your eyes
Prolonged UV exposure can increase the likelihood of several eye problems, including:
- Cataracts – when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy over time, making your vision blurry – it’s often linked to years of UV exposure.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – causes central vision loss that is irreversible. Long-term UVA exposure may increase the risk as you age.
- Photokeratitis – like a sunburn on the surface of your eye, it can cause pain, redness, and light sensitivity after intense UV exposure in a short time.
- Pterygium and Pinguecula – small growths on the white of the eye, usually from spending a lot of time in the sun without protection.
The good news is, there are simple and easy ways you can protect both your children’s and your own eyes to prevent any complications that can affect your vision and eye health down the line.
Smart ways to protect your eyes
A few consistent sun-safe habits can make a big difference in the long term:
- Choose high-quality UV protection sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection from authorized retailers like optometry practices, to shield your eyes and the delicate skin around them from UVA and UVB rays.
- Wear a hat to help block sunlight from above.
- Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, even on bright but cloudy days when UV rays can still reach your skin and eyes.
- Try to limit time outdoors or find shade frequently between 10 am and 4 pm, when the UV index is usually at its highest.
- Book regular eye exams to catch any early signs of UV-related changes and keep your eye health on track.
How can we help?
The team at Norfolk Family Eyecare is here to help you stay proactive about your eye health throughout the year. We offer prescription and non-prescription UV protection sunglasses tailored to your vision needs, thorough eye exams to detect signs of sun-related changes, and personalized guidance to help you and your family make informed choices based on your lifestyle.
Protect your vision with confidence
Contact us today to book your next eye exam or learn more about UV protection sunglasses to keep your family’s eyes sun-safe and healthy.