How Do UV Rays Affect Your Eyes?

It is common knowledge that our skin gets impacted by ultraviolet light. But what most people do not know is that UV rays damage our eyes as well. Of all the tissues found in our body, the ones that constitute our eyes are some of the most sensitive ones. This causes UV rays to present in the sunlight or in some other artificial light sources to penetrate them and harm our eyes and consequently our vision.

What is Ultraviolet Light?

UV rays are so high in energy that they are not visible to the naked eyes. This high energy volume makes them damaging to our vision. UVC, UVB, and UVA are three different categories of UV rays that vary in magnitudes of the harm they cause to the eyesight but are linked with vision loss, photokeratitis, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Risk Factors of UV Rays

Here are some of the risk factors of ultraviolet light:

Altitude

If you live in a region that is located at high altitudes, you are at a higher risk of receiving damage from exposure to UV rays.

Geographic Location

People who live in areas that are closer to the equator are at a higher risk of receiving more damage from UV light.

Medications

Ultraviolet rays harm the people who are consuming control pills, tranquilizers, or diuretics more than the ones that are not.

Time of Day

From 10 am to 2 pm, the UV rays are more damaging than they are during the rest of the day.

Precautions to Mitigate Damage from UV Rays

You can keep yourself protected from damaging radiation of the ultraviolet light by following the following instructions:

l Wearing contacts that are UV-blocking can efficiently protect your eyes and vision from the harmful effects of UV rays.

l Wearing protective eyewear, like sunglasses during the daytime, regardless of if the sun is out or not, is an effective way to keep your eyes protected from UV radiation. UV rays can easily penetrate clouds. Make sure you opt for sunglasses that wrap around and are made up of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate sunglasses and protective eyewear is capable of blocking UVB and UVA radiation up to 100%.

l Staying away from artificial light sources that emit UV rays.

l Making sure you regularly visit an ophthalmologist or eye specialist to get a comprehensive eye exam conducted allows you to get identified of any UV-related damage that your eyes or vision might have. Early discovery offers an opportunity for treatment before much damage has been done.

Almost 80% of all UV rays damage occurs to people who are below 18 years of age. Therefore, it is vital to protect children from getting exposed to damaging ultraviolet light. Following the above-mentioned tips can protect your vision and eyesight from the harmful UV rays that sunlight and some other artificial light sources possess.