Bad Sun: What Is The Danger Of Ultraviolet Light For The Eyes, And How To Protect Them

We all know perfectly well that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to skin damage, the appearance of age spots and burns. To protect our skin from the negative effects of UV rays, we actively use sunscreens, but few of us realize that our eyes are as vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation as our skin and also need protection. Irina Leshchenko, an ophthalmologist of the highest category, Ph. D., clinical director of Johnson & Johnson Vision, an expert of the ACUVUE® brand, tells how to provide it.

What is UV rays and how are they dangerous?

It has been clinically proven that prolonged exposure to the sun without protective equipment can damage the surface of the eye and its internal structure. Ultraviolet rays are components of sunlight. They are classified as UV-A, UV-B and UV-C depending on their wavelength. The shorter the wavelength, the more energy potential it has and the more harmful it can have.

UV rays have the longest wavelength. They contribute to the appearance of sunburn and premature skin aging.
UV-B rays cause sunburn and are the most common causes of skin cancer and eye diseases such as cataracts.
UV-C rays have the shortest wavelength and are the most dangerous. Fortunately, their entry into the atmosphere is blocked by the ozone layer, so they do not reach the Earth's surface.

We are used to protecting ourselves from UV radiation during the day when the sun is most active. But, unlike the skin, the eyes are exposed to no less harmful effects in the morning and in the evening - at this time the sun is closest to the horizon and shines at the level of our eyes.

It has been clinically proven that prolonged exposure to UV radiation has a negative effect on the eyes: eyelids, cornea and lens, and is also cumulative and can subsequently lead to the development of serious diseases. The more often and longer your eyes are exposed to UV rays, the higher your risk of developing diseases such as cataracts, retinal damage and other eye diseases. At the same time, short-term exposure to UV radiation is no less dangerous: it can provoke inflammation of the cornea, accompanied by pain, redness, burning sensation, lacrimation, feeling of a foreign body in the eye and photosensitivity. Remember, UV rays are invisible, but they are everywhere and can damage your eyes.

UV protection of the eyes with sunglasses

One of the eye protection that everyone knows about is sunglasses. Sufficient eye protection from UV rays can only be provided by high-quality sunglasses marked UV 400 or UV 380 - they block 95-99% of UV-A rays. Spectacle lenses with a UV 200 mark can only cope with 50% of the radiation, that is, with their help it is completely impossible to protect the eyes from the sun.

When choosing sunglasses, do not focus on the degree of lens shading. In order to protect your eyes from the sun, your glasses do not need to be black. They can be transparent or with a slight darkening effect. Be careful, some sunglasses may not have a UV blocking filter.

Protecting your eyes from UV radiation with contact lenses

The most dangerous peripheral UV rays, reflecting from sand or water, "seep" behind the frame and negatively affect the eyes. That is why, to protect the eyes from the sun, it is also recommended to use contact lenses with a UV filter, which effectively protect the inner structures and the surface of the eyes from peripheral UV rays.

Please be aware that UV-protected contact lenses are not a substitute for UV-filtered sunglasses. Contact lenses should always be worn with high quality UV-filtered sunglasses. Only then will you provide your eyes with maximum protection against the harmful effects of direct and peripheral UV radiation (read also: "Contact lenses: 8 mistakes in use that harm your eyesight").