Summer is well and truly upon us and with it comes longer, brighter and sunnier days. Despite the additional sunshine that we see during the summer, many people still aren’t aware of the damaging effects that exposure to UV light without protection can have on their eyes and vision. Here’s what you need to know about how the sun affects your eyes and what you can do to prevent he damage that it can cause and preserve your long-term eye health.

What Is UV Damage?

UV stands for ultraviolet – a type of light energy that is produced by the sun. Although there are three types of UV, only two varieties can affect our eyes as the third doesn’t reach the earth. The two types of UV that we need to worry about are known as UVA and UVB. UVB rays are those which are responsible for us getting sunburn on our skin if we are out in the sunshine for too long without sunblock. However, UVB can also affect the delicate skin around our eyes, putting you at risk of skin cancer developing in this area. UVB can affect the cornea, which is the clear dome that covers the front of our eye, as well as the natural lens too. Meanwhile, UVA can penetrate much more deeply into the eyes, causing cellular changes in the macula which is a crucial part of your retina and found at the very back of the eye.

What Problems Can UV Exposure Cause?

Although you can’t see UV rays, their effects can be extremely damaging. UV damage is accumulative, meaning that it gets worse over time if you don’t start using protection. The longer you go in the sun without wearing effective sunglasses, the more likely you are to develop any of the follow UV-related eye conditions:

• Macular degeneration: degeneration of the macular that affects our central vision

• Cataracts: a clouding of the natural lens of the eye

• Pterygium: a growth that forms on the eye

• Corneal sunburn

• Cancer of the skin of the eyelids

This list is by no means exhaustive, and the consequences of failing to protect your eyes can be significant.

How To Know Which Sunglasses Will Protect Your Eyes

The most effective way to protect your eyes from UV damage is to think carefully about the sunglasses that you choose. Not all sunglasses are created equal and there are many cheap versions that you can pick up at places like gas stations and grocery stores, that do not offer adequate protection against UV rays.

Any good sunglasses will have been tested to check just how much UV light they protect against and should have a sticker or label that attests to their UV-blocking capability. Always choose a variety that blocks out 99-100% of UVA AND UVB light as this will give your eyes the greatest protection. It is also important to consider the style of sunglasses that you buy, as some shapes will offer greater protection against UV damage than others. For example, those with thin arms and narrow lenses will offer only a very small amount of protection while over-sized lenses or wraparound frames will also stop the majority of UV light seeping in the sides of your glasses and getting to your eyes that way.

For more information on the effects of sun exposure on your eyes, call (718) 329-2020 to reach Lens Lab Express at our office in the Bronx, New York.