Wear Sunglasses ! The Effects of Sunlight on the eyes

-All living organisms living on this Earth depends on sunlight for survival but ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the solar spectrum has detrimental effects on the human body such as the skin and the eyes.

-3 different types of Ultraviolet Radiation types exist (UV A B C) and the amount present in the environment depends on the time of day, season, weather, atmospheric turbidity clouds (cloud density and type), fluctuations in the ozone layer, latitude,altitude, reflection off surfaces (snow, sand…).
-The different types of UVR also cause varying damage  to the human tissue, with UVC being the most damaging and UVA being the least damaging.

Whilst most are aware of the harmful effects of UVR to the skin, few know about the harmful effects that UVR can do to the eye. UVR can cause various eye conditions such as:

-Eyelid carcinomas

-Pinguecula

-Pterygium,

-Cataract

-Macular degenerations

Therefore, it is important to educate patients on the harmful effects of UVR on the eyes as well as the need for UV protection for the eyes whenever they are outdoors.

Chan. S Seeing the light – Sunprotection for your eyes. Symposium 5 – The Dark Side of LIght – Effects of Light on Skin, and Phototprotection. NSC Update in Dermatology and Venereology 2015 – Singapore
Seeing the light