How to protect your eyes from the sun

by Aradhana K. Beauty Expert

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes, leading to eye problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. It is important to protect your eyes from the sun whenever you are outdoors, even on cloudy days.

Why is it important to protect your eyes from the sun?

The sun's UV rays can damage the cornea, lens, and retina of your eyes. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye that helps to focus light. The lens is the clear structure inside the eye that helps to focus light onto the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that sends signals to the brain to create images.

What are the risks of not protecting your eyes from the sun?

There are a number of risks associated with not protecting your eyes from the sun. These risks include:

Cataracts: Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. They are the leading cause of blindness in adults over the age of 55.
Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is a disease that damages the macula, the central part of the retina. It is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 65.
Pterygium: Pterygium is a growth of tissue on the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. It can cause irritation, redness, and blurred vision.
Eye cancer: Eye cancer, including melanoma, can develop in any part of the eye. It is more common in people with fair skin and blue eyes.

How to protect your eyes from the sun

Here are some tips on how to protect your eyes from the sun:

Wear sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the "UV400" label on the sunglasses to ensure that they provide adequate protection.
Wear a hat. A wide-brimmed hat can help to shade your eyes and face from the sun.
Avoid direct sunlight. If possible, avoid spending too much time in direct sunlight, especially during the middle of the day when the sun's rays are strongest.
Use sunscreen near your eyes. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the skin around your eyes, including your eyelids and upper cheeks. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are sweating or swimming.
Use under eye cream with sunscreen. In addition to the above tips, you can also use an under eye cream that contains sunscreen to protect the delicate skin under your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays. Look for an under eye cream with an SPF of 30 or higher and that is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

By following these tips, you can help to protect your eyes from the sun and keep them healthy for years to come.

Bottom Line

The sun's UV rays can damage your eyes, leading to serious eye problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. It is important to protect your eyes from the sun whenever you are outdoors, even on cloudy days.