After a hard winter and a soggy Iowa spring, summer is here and spending some time in the sun is on everyone’s to-do list. We often hear about the dangers of the sun on our skin and skin cancer risks, but did you know that the sun can also be bad for your eyes?
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest in the summer and ophthalmologists (eye doctors) want everyone to be aware that overexposure to the sun’s rays can burn the eyes’ corneas and cause painful, temporary blindness.
The two easiest solutions are to stay inside all day or wear sunglasses. We recommend the sunglasses. Why is the sun so dangerous to our eyes? Scientific studies show that long term, unprotected exposure contributes to cataracts and macular degeneration. More exposure has been found to lead to tumors. In severe cases, these tumors can lead to having the affected eye removed and partial blindness. People with macular degeneration may be more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
We have probably all been sunburnt at some time in our lives. Did you know that your eyes can get sunburnt too? The medical term is photokeratitis, but we commonly refer to it as sunburnt eyes, ultraviolet keratitis or snow blindness. The risk for eye sunburn is higher in people with lighter skin and lighter eyes (sorry blonde haired, blued people) because they have less pigmentation in multiple layers of the eye than those with darker eyes.
How do you know that you may have “photokeratitised” your eyes? A mild case can feel like you have grit or sand in your eyes. That sensation is caused by layers of the cornea peeling following the sunburn. In extreme cases, you will feel like your eyeballs are on fire! If that happens, you need to see an ophthalmologist right away.
Next time we will talk about preventing this kind of sunburn and how to keep your eyes safe. In the meantime, Hammer Medical has items that can keep the rest of your body safe and healthy. See us for scooters, lift chairs and stair lifts.
Tags: eye health, sunburn