UV
rays from the sun can cause a variety of eye problems, such as temporary vision
loss or worsened macular degeneration. Unfortunately, many people poorly
understand many little-known facts about this exposure and may not take the
proper precautions when outside in the sun.
Snow
blindness is a colloquial term for a condition known as corneal sunburn. This
issue occurs when your eyes experience extended exposure to UV-B rays as they
bounce off a solid surface. Typically, this problem occurs during the winter
because snow reflects up to 80 percent of these rays back into the
air. However, sunbathers may also develop this issue during the summer.
For
example, the broad expanse of the average beach, as well as the waters of a
lake, pond, or ocean, may reflect a large number of UV rays towards your eyes
and cause a corneal sunburn. Corneal sunburn is very painful and may cause
temporary blindness, so wear eye protection whenever you go to the beach or
ski.
You
may think that UV exposure would be highest during very sunny days. However,
this perception is incorrect because of the reflective quality of clouds. On an
overcast day, UV rays will bounce off the ground and then back down off the
clouds.
While
many UV rays will pass through clouds, this extra bounce causes another
reflection of the sun's rays off the ground. As a result, your eyes can
experience a higher concentration of UV rays on cloudy days than they do on
sunny days. This danger likely increases if you are near a beach or a field of
snow.
The
time of the highest UV ray exposure is another common misconception. Many
people assume that their exposure will be highest during noon, as UV rays
are 10 times higher during this period than three
hours before or after. However, the shape of your eyes — which includes your
brow ridge — naturally protects you from UV rays during this time of the
day.
Instead,
the morning and mid-afternoon — when the sun is at an angle — exposes your eyes
to more UV rays. A similar contrary situation relates to seasonal UV exposure.
Though the sun is higher in the sky and more present during the day in the
summer, UV ray exposure is higher in fall, winter, and spring because the sun
is at an angle.
Although
both adults and children can experience eye damage from UV rays, children are,
unfortunately, at a higher risk. Many reasons exist for this increased risk.
First, a child's eyes are less developed and mature than those of an adult. As
a result, a child's eyes do not have the same level of protection that an
adult's eyes possess.
Secondly,
children may be more prone to risky or dangerous behavior than adults, such as
looking at the sun without sunglasses. So make sure to use wide-brim hats,
sunscreen under the eyes, and sunglasses to protect your child when they are
out in the sun. Also, schedule regular visits to an eye doctor to protect your
child even further.
If
you are concerned about excessive UV ray exposure and eye damage, please don't
hesitate to contact us at Calvert Ophthalmology Center right away
to get the help that you need or to ask us any questions you may have. Our
professionals will take the time to understand your problems fully and will
come up with a treatment and care solution that meets your needs.
