How To

How to Protect Eyes From the Sun

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

Our eyes are highly susceptible to sun damage. Sunlight contains UV rays, which are invisible high-energy rays. If these rays are absorbed by your eyes, they can cause or enhance eye ailments. UV light causes an irreversible negative reaction in eye tissue and can lead to cataracts, pterygium (tissue growth on the whites of the eyes), cancer on the eyelids and macular degeneration. Use precautionary measures to protect your eyes from the sun.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Quality sunglasses
  • Wide-brimmed hat or visor
  1. Step 1

    Wear sunglasses to block harmful UV rays while you're outside in sunlight. Sunglasses should be worn no matter what the time of year, but take extra precautions in the hot summer months of June, July and August. Be sure to grab your shades, even on cloudy days.

  2. Step 2

    Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. The glasses should block 80 percent of transmissible light. Those that block visible blue light are even safer.

  3. Step 3

    Purchase glasses with large lenses that fit close to your eyes and wrap slightly around your head. These will block the largest amount of light.

  4. Step 4

    Wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor when in direct sunlight. This offers protection to your eyes by creating shade around your face.

  5. Step 5

    Try UV protective contact lenses to add an additional layer of protection. However, sunglasses are still needed to protect the area of the eye that is not covered by the lens.

  6. Step 6

    Inspect your sunglasses regularly to make sure they are perfectly matched in color and are free of distortion and imperfection.

  7. Step 7

    Try gray-colored sunglass lenses that reduce the light intensity without altering the color of objects, providing the most natural color vision.

Tips & Warnings
  • Children are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV rays, since their eyes do not have the same ability as a pair of adult eyes to protect them from UV radiation. Make sure they always wear fitted sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats out in the sun.
  • Visit All About Vision for a consumer's guide to buying sunglasses that will protect your eyes and fit your lifestyle (see Resources below).
  • Always invest in proper eye care. Ordinary sunglasses, without the proper level of protection, can contribute to damage. Simple dark lenses will cause your pupils to dilate, which allows more of the dangerous UVA radiation to damage the lens and the retina.
  • People who spend long hours in the sun, have cataract surgery or are on certain medications that increase the eye's sensitivity to light are at an increased risk for sun damage to the eyes.

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