Eyes and Sunburn: What Are the Risks?
It is important to understand that the sun can affect more than just your skin. Your eyes are also sensitive to ultraviolet (UV)
rays and can suffer damage similar to that of the skin. These damages, often referred to as photokeratitis in medical
terms, manifest as pain, redness, and sometimes temporarily altered vision.
Although these ocular sunburns can be uncomfortable, they tend to heal naturally over time.
Photokeratitis occurs when UV rays damage the cornea, the transparent part of the eye. They can also affect
the conjunctiva, a thin layer covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It’s essential to take precautions
to protect your eyes from these harmful effects of the sun.
These harmful rays can come from the sun or from an artificial source
Understanding the risk factors for eye sunburn
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays that, although invisible, can cause damage to the
skin and eyes with overexposure. Moderate UV exposure can be beneficial, but excessive exposure can
harm ocular cells, leading to symptoms such as pain
The eyes are particularly vulnerable to sunburn during the summer, but winter also poses risks.
UV rays can reflect off snow or ice, increasing eye exposure. This phenomenon, sometimes called “snow blindness,”
is more common at high altitudes where the atmosphere is less dense and filters UV rays less effectively
UV rays are reflected by various surfaces
UV rays do not only reflect off natural surfaces such as water, ice, sand, and cement, but also off certain
artificial objects. Devices such as welding tools, tanning beds, sun lamps, UV lamps used for germ disinfection,
as well as damaged halogen or metal-halide bulbs, can all emit harmful UV rays that can affect the eyes.
The symptoms of sunburn to the eyes generally do not manifest immediately, but rather appear within 30 minutes to 12 hours
following excessive exposure to UV rays. These symptoms may include:
- • Pain in both eyes
- • Eye redness
- • Decreased vision
- • Tearing
- • Sensation of sand in the eyes
- • Swollen eyelids
- • Increased sensitivity to light
- • Redness on the eyelids or other parts of the face
- • Headaches
- • Rare changes in color perception
- • Temporary vision loss, which is also rare
Prolonged UV exposure can lead to more severe symptoms. If you experience severe pain, excessively
red eyes, or vision changes, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist for proper treatment.
Treatment of Sunburned Eyes
Sunburned eyes tend to heal naturally over time. You should feel relief within one to three days after UV exposure.
To relieve discomfort and treat swollen and irritated eyelids from the sun, you can follow these simple measures:
- • Remove your contact lenses as soon as possible.
- • Close your eyes and apply a cold, damp washcloth to them.
- • Use over-the-counter eye drops, also called artificial tears.
- • Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this could worsen the irritation.
If the pain is severe, your ophthalmologist may recommend analgesic medications.
Additionally, they may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or eye drops to prevent infections.
Important!! Do not forget to consult your doctor before starting any new medication. If you
normally wear contact lenses, wait a few days for the cornea to heal before wearing them again.
Risks
Researchers have not yet determined if photokeratitis leads to long-term effects.
However, excessive UV exposure can damage your eyes in various ways, increasing the risk of developing:
- • Pterygium: a wedge-shaped growth that begins at the corner of the eye.
- • Pinguecula: a yellowish spot or growth on the eye.
- • Cataracts: clouding of the eye's lens that can lead to vision problems.
- • Conjunctival melanoma: a rare cancerous growth on the eyeball or inner eyelid.
Prevention
You can prevent sun damage to your eyes by taking measures to block UV rays:
- • Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
- • Use a hat or visor to shield your eyes from the sun.
- • Stay in the shade as much as possible.
- • Avoid excessive sun exposure when the UV index is high, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM.
UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so remember to protect your eyes even on cloudy days.
Make sure to purchase sunglasses offering 100% UV protection from an optician or a trusted brand. This will ensure that your eyes are properly protected against harmful sun rays.
Ensure that the sunglasses carry one of the following labels to guarantee adequate UV protection:
- • 100% UV protection.
- • 100% UV400 protection
- • Blocks 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays
- • CE
Discover examples of sunglasses offering the best UV protection from well-known and reputable brands:
sunglasses
Wraparound sunglasses offer optimal sun protection because they block UV rays from the sides of the lenses as well.
Here is an example of wraparound sunglasses: Julbo Vermont Classic
Sun Damage Inside the Eye
"Burning the eyes" is often used as another term to describe photokeratitis. However,
sunlight can also damage the inside of your eyes, leading to a condition called solar retinopathy. This condition is
generally more severe as it can persist for a long time and sometimes cause permanent damage.
Solar retinopathy results from exposure to intense sunlight, making it dangerous to
look directly at the sun, even during a solar eclipse. Powerful sunlight damages a sensitive layer of cells inside
the eye called the retina, which is essential for vision.
Symptoms of solar retinopathy can include blurred vision, blind spots in or near the center
of your vision, decreased color vision, distorted vision of objects, incorrect perception of the size of objects, and headaches.
Blurred vision tends to improve within one to six months after exposure, but some vision
changes can be permanent. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for solar retinopathy. Therefore, prevention is crucial.
Consult an ophthalmologist as soon as you notice changes in your eyes or vision. If you have already been
diagnosed with sunburned eyes, inform your doctor if your pain worsens or if new symptoms appear. Other eye conditions
can also cause similar symptoms, such as conjunctivitis, dry eye, foreign body sensation in the eye, prolonged contact lens use,
exposure to chemicals, or a reaction to a topical medication. Your ophthalmologist can rule out these and other possible causes
and help you improve your symptoms.
Conclusion
It is evident that eyes can be damaged by the sun, just like the skin. Protecting your eyes from UV radiation
is essential for maintaining healthy vision in the long term. By taking simple measures such as wearing sunglasses
with 100% UV protection and avoiding excessive sun exposure, you can reduce the risk of sunburned eyes and other sun-related
eye problems. If you experience unusual symptoms or changes in your eyes, always consult an eye care professional for proper
evaluation and treatment.
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Notes and References
https://eyewiki.aao.org/Photokeratitis, https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness, https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/features/uv-radiation.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/uv-radiation-safety/index.html, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15763-photokeratitis, https://www.epa.gov/enviro/uv-index-description, https://eyewiki.aao.org/Eyelid_Burns, https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/august/ocular-causes-of-visual-distortions
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