Hi lovelies,
Ultraviolet rays, whether artificial UV rays or from the sunlight, can seriously affect your eyes. Many people understand the UV rays' effect on the skin, but they rarely understand the extent of damage that these rays can cause to the eyes. There are generally three types of UV radiation: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.
UV-A and UV-B are known for causing adverse short and long-term effects on the eyes, while UV-C is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer. Below are the harmful effects of UV light on your eyesight.
Macular degeneration
This is caused by the long-term exposure of the retina to harmful ultraviolet rays. When the retina gets exposed to these rays for long, the blood vessels supplying nutrients to the tissues start leaking blood or fluid into the macula. The macula is the central part of the retina, which is responsible for the central vision.
Over time, this will likely lead to eye disorder associated with blurred vision or a blind spot in the visual field. Some early signs of macular degeneration include increased blurriness of the printed words and difficulties adapting to the low light levels. Glasses with FL-41 tint are great for light-sensitive conditions that may affect the eye adversely.
Cataracts
A cataract refers to the clouding of the eye's normal clear lens. The effect of the UV rays in the eye leading to cataracts mainly depends on age and the rate of exposure. This may lead to partial blindness if the condition is not corrected well in advance. Ultraviolet rays amplify the deterioration of the lens by damaging proteins.
The glycation process leads to the production of a cloudy substance that reduces vision. Severe exposure to these rays can eventually lead to blindness. The ultraviolet rays substitute oxygen, which triggers harmful oxidative reactions in the lens.
Pterygium & Pinguecula
Exposure to ultraviolet rays leads to uncontrolled growth of the tissues found on the conjunctiva. The Conjunctiva membrane covers the front part of the eyes as well as the inside of the eyelids. With long-term exposure, the uncontrolled growth of the tissues spreads to cover the corner, leading to loss of vision.
The correction mechanism is that these tissues can be removed through surgical operation. On the other hand, pinguecula develops as a raised bump inside the conjunctiva, and you can even feel it. These raised parts are white or yellow and can be treated with eye drops.
Photokeratitis
Photokeratitis refers to the inflammation of the eyeball tissue, similar to the sunburn on the skin caused by exposure to the UV rays. The skin-like tissue of the eyeball is very sensitive to ultraviolet rays and can be damaged within a few hours of exposure. This is not only a summer condition as it can happen any time of the eye if exposed to these rays.
If you live in a highly refractive environment, you should protect yourself from the radiation emitted by shiny surfaces. This could be oceans, snow, sandy beaches, or lakes. Research shows that fresh snow can reflect more than 80% of the UV rays, so you should wear eye protection even when you don't feel it's vital.
The effects of the UV rays can be devastating to the extent of causing permanent blindness. Here are different ways you can protect your eyes from harmful radiation.
Wear UV protective eyewear
Research by most optometric organizations states that sunglasses that can provide adequate protection from UV rays should block more than 99% of the UV-A and UV-B rays. Visit a well-established optometrist to get advice on the best sunglasses which will provide maximum protection against these rays.
Understand UV light
We are all aware of the effects of UV rays on the skin. But many do not understand the harmful effects these rays can have on the eyes. You need to understand the three types of rays and their sources. The UV rays' exposure is always more severe the midday when the sun is overhead. In the morning and evening, the UV rays are less severe, and they don’t have much effect on the eyes.
Hats
When you are walking in sunny conditions, do not forget your hat. The hat will protect you from the sun's radiations that may enter from the sides or around the frame. This extra hat protection prevents UV rays from reaching your eyes and reduces eye strain from the glares while outdoors.
Soft contact lenses
You can protect the eyes from UV rays using soft contact lenses. Most of them are designed to absorb UV radiation energy, reducing the amount of rays reaching the eye's surface. Ensure that the contact lenses you will purchase meet the regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration. The earlier you start protecting the eyes from these radiations, the better.