UV has been a buzzword for a long while now, but a lot of the time, when it is mentioned has boiled down to skincare, aging, and skin cancers.
But what about other parts of the body?
Your eyes can be particularly damaged by UV rays, which is why they need to be protected every time the sun comes out.
The damage UV can cause can be extensive, and there are a few things you need to know about that can help ensure that you keep your eyes protected.
UV Can Damage Your Eyes
Read on to find out how UV can damage your eyes and what you can do to prevent it from happening.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a very unpleasant eye condition, that if not treated, can lead the blindness. It essentially looks like a thin, cloudy film over the eye, which can lead to blurry vision. There are also other negative side effects of cataracts, including experiencing double vision or seeing โghost imagesโ. You can be particularly sensitive to light, have trouble seeing in the dark, at nighttime, or when reading in low light. Cataracts can also change how you see colors, and it can make vision look particularly dull or give anything you look at a dim, โyellowโ tinge.
To avoid this eye condition, make sure to protect your eyes from UV rays, and this can be one of the leading causes for development.
Thankfully, the procedure to remove cataracts is relatively simple and painless now technology is advanced.
Eye Cancer
Cancer of the eye is as bad as it sounds, and while you cannot apply sunscreen to your eyeball, there is a reason that sunglasses and UV protection contact lenses exist.
Eye cancer can take years to develop, which is why visits to a licensed optometrist are so important, as they can spot anything that looks unusual as soon as possible to prevent anything from getting worse. Unfortunately, as with all cancers, eye cancer can spread to other areas of the body, which is why if you notice a growth in your eyeball, you should seek professional help immediately. There are a few different types of eye cancers, and protecting your eyes from UV rays can help protect your eyes from many of them.
Snow Blindness
Did you know you can go blind from having too much sun exposure from the snow? It is well known that light and bright surfaces are excellent at refracting light, but this can also include UV rays. If you are outside and indulging in a sport such as skiing or snowboarding, you will be exposed to this type of eye condition from the moment you step outside to the moment you finish. This is why you see so many snow sports enthusiasts wearing protective goggles. Of course, there is an element of protecting eyes from snow and other debris that can fly at you when you are skiing and the like, but the tint is there to protect from the UV rays that they are exposed to every time they partake in a snow sport.
