You Never Know the Effect of UV Rays on Your Eyes

In summer, we are engaged in selecting sunscreen to protect our skin, but what about our eyes? The truth is many of us haven’t realized the danger UV rays impose on our eyes. UV rays may cause much damage to the eye’s surface tissue, cornea and lens. In this summer each of you should start to keep an eye on eye protection from harmful UV rays by wearing high-quality sun eyeglasses.  

UV rays can be divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Based on the wavelength of UV rays, UVA has a wavelength of 315-400mm, UVB of 280-315mm, and UVC of less than 280mm. for its short wavelength, UVC does not impose any danger as they are absorbed by the ozone layer and hardly reach the ground. As to UVB which has a wavelength between UVA and UVC, they can reach the ground and damage the epidermis. For the longest wavelength, UVB can impose greatest threat on your skin and eyes.
 
When skin is exposed to UV rays, the melanocyte in epidermis will produce melanin, to absorb the UV rays as protection. But with long-time exposure to sunlight, a large amount of melanin will be produced and deposited, and leave sunburn on the skin. Likewise, eyes as one of the most delicate parts of our body can be easily damaged. Therefore, sunscreen, or sun eyewear are all necessities in summer.

Then what is the threat from exposure to UV rays, which mainly refers to UVA and UVB? Short-term exposure to UV radiation may cause photokeratitis, a painful inflammation of the cornea. Symptoms like red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light or excessive tearing may be caused. Being temporary, it does not cause permanent damage to the eyes, though. But long-term exposure to UV rays will produce serious effect. Studies show that it may increase the chance of developing cataract and may cause irreversible damage to the retina. Chronic eye disease and the risk of getting skin cancer are also another danger. Moreover, pterygium and pinguecula are also a threat.

Thus, sun glasses are quite necessary to offer good protection in hot summer, especially for people working outdoors for a long time. We should never ignore the potential damage the UV rays may impose on our delicate eyes.