Which people are most at risk for eye damage due to the sun.
Most people know how harmful the sun’s ultraviolet rays are to the skin, but few realize that it is also the enemy of the eyes, while even fewer know which people are most at risk for eye damage due to the sun. There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC.
UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not pose a threat to vision (or skin). UVA and UVB, however, have short-term and long-term effects on the eyes and eyesight.
If the eyes are exposed to huge amounts of UV for a short time, photokeratitis can develop, a condition that could be described as sunburn. Photokeratitis causes redness and a feeling that a foreign body or grains of sand have entered the inside of the eyes. Patients are also very sensitive to light and cry a lot, and often feel severe pain in the eyes. Photokeratitis is the cause of vision loss for those who stay for long periods in the snow without sunglasses.
In fact, the longer the eye is exposed to sunlight, the greater the risk of developing serious damage to both the superficial tissues of the eye (mainly the cornea and the crystalline lens) and those deep in the eye, such as the retina.
In the long run, these lesions can manifest themselves in the form of serious diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration and cancer of the eyelids or inside the eye.
And because it is not known exactly how much UV exposure is required to cause eye damage, it is recommended that everyone should never go out in the sun without good quality sunglasses and a hat.
To provide adequate sun protection, sunglasses must provide 99-100% of UVA and UVB protection, repel 75-90% of visible light, have homogeneous color lenses without imperfections, and have preferably gray lenses to allow good recognition of the colors around us.
The glasses should also cover the eyes from the sides because “sunlight is reflected on smooth surfaces, so it reaches an angle to the eyes. Research has shown that water reflects up to 100% of UV, dry sand and cement up to 25%, and even grass reflects a small percentage (less than 5%).
High-risk groups
Although sunlight can cause problems in the eyes of every human being, there are some population groups that are at very high risk. These groups are:
Young children: Children are usually exposed to the sun more than adults since at every opportunity we should let them play freely outdoors. In fact, it is estimated that children’s annual exposure to sunlight is three times greater than that of adults. Without proper protection, children are at high risk for eye disease due to the sun because their lenses are immature and thus do not effectively filter UV, resulting in high levels reaching deep into their eyes.
People with light eyes: People with light blue or green eyes who go out in the sun without sunglasses and a hat are at increased risk of developing rare eye cancers, such as melanoma of the iris or cornea of the eye. The cornea is also called the vascular tunnel and it is the middle of the three layers of the eye.
Those who have had cataract surgery: During this surgery, the blurred natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Without the natural lens, the eye is more exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, especially if the artificial lens fitted is old-fashioned (newer lenses are more absorbent). However, because it is difficult for a patient to know what kind of artificial lens has been placed in his eyes, it is recommended that those who have had cataract surgery do not go out in the sun without sunglasses and a hat.
Those taking photosensitivity drugs: Drugs that increase the sensitivity of the skin to the sun (ie cause photosensitivity) can also make the eyes sensitive to it. This category includes certain antibiotics, contraceptives and estrogen drugs taken orally, etc.
