You need to protect your eyes just like your skin to prevent them falling prey to the risks of eye sunburn. If you don’t take precautions to prevent it, overexposure to ultraviolet rays can damage your eyes. Your eyes are sensitive organs and this is why optometrists recommend not neglecting any type of care regardless of the weather. It is true that wearing sunglasses can work as a shield against dangerous UV rays, but you need to practice the same during winter as well.
How Eye Sunburn Occurs?
When the sunlight hits your unprotected eyes, it affects the outer layer of your eyeball that is known as the cornea. The harsh rays burn your cornea and it can get inflamed. The condition is painful and can cause various eye problems like night blindness and snow blindness. However, if treated on time, you cornea heals. But if you don’t take the necessary precautions, the condition can damage your eye health leading to loss of vision, melanoma in your retina, and skin cancer of the eyelids. Moreover, exposing eyes directly to the sun is the primary reason that contributes to the risks of sunburn.
Symptoms of Eye Sunburn
With the help of following symptoms, you can find out that your eyes are at the risk of sunburn.
- Tearing
- Swelling
- Blurriness
- Redness
- Pain
- Sensitivity to light
UVA and UVB Rays
First things first, you should not leave your home without covering them, and the best way to do that during the day is to invest in a pair of stylish sunglasses. But to be extra careful, you should opt for sunglasses that are designed with an additional layer to prevent your eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
The effects of the sun on your skin is distinctive than its effect on the eyes. On the skin, UV rays leave red patches, cause irritation, and peeling. However, the harmful rays of the sun impact your eyes gradually. You will not notice redness or irritation immediately but the damage is there. This is why optometrists recommend wearing UV rays protected sunglasses, spectacles, and contact lenses.
Toy Sunglasses
Like adults, risks of eye sunburn are present for children as well. It is necessary to cover their precious eyes to ward off the damaging rays of the sun. However, wearing toy sunglasses will not be effective in this regard. Toy sunglasses are not designed with high-quality materials; hence, they should be avoided. You should purchase good quality children’s sunglasses specifically when going out in the summer.
Colored Contact Lenses
Wearing colored contact lenses may seem high-fashion, but they don’t have enough potential to protect your eyes. In most cases, these lenses are designed to be worn casually. So when exposed to the sun, make sure to wear UV ray protected lenses.
Bottom Line
Eye sunburn has become a prevalent health issue that can affect your eyes in the long run. So do not ignore potential risks in this regard and start taking precautions.
