Vision Health Library

How the Sun Affects Your Eyes and Vision

Sunlight is part of everyday life in South Florida, but prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can affect both the comfort and long-term health of your eyes. Heat, dehydration and UV exposure can each contribute to eye problems in different ways.

Protecting your eyes from the sun is about more than reducing glare. Proper sunglasses can help shield the eyes from ultraviolet radiation while also making outdoor activities more comfortable.

UV Radiation and Your Eyes

The sun produces ultraviolet radiation, commonly referred to as UV radiation. Unlike visible light, UV radiation cannot be seen, but repeated exposure can affect delicate structures within the eye.

Over time, excessive UV exposure may contribute to eye conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. This is why protecting your eyes from ultraviolet radiation is an important part of long-term eye health.

Choose Sunglasses With UVA and UVB Protection

When selecting sunglasses, look for lenses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Dark lenses alone do not necessarily mean better UV protection. The important feature is the amount of ultraviolet radiation the lenses are designed to block.

Sunglasses are available in many frame styles and lens designs, so protecting your eyes does not mean sacrificing comfort or appearance. A properly fitted pair should provide good coverage while remaining comfortable enough to wear regularly.

Heat, Dehydration and Dry Eyes

Hot weather can also affect eye comfort. When the body becomes dehydrated, there may be less moisture available to support the normal tear film that keeps the surface of the eyes lubricated.

For people who already experience dry eye symptoms, hot or dry conditions may make irritation more noticeable. Symptoms can include burning, stinging, redness, itching, a gritty sensation or fluctuating vision.

Staying adequately hydrated may help support normal tear production. Artificial tears can also provide temporary relief for many people with mild dryness, although persistent or recurring symptoms should be evaluated by an eye doctor.

Sun Exposure and Cataracts

A cataract develops when the normally clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. Age is one of the primary risk factors, but long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation can also contribute to changes within the lens.

Consistently wearing sunglasses with proper UV protection is a simple step that can help reduce unnecessary exposure over a lifetime.

Sun Exposure and Macular Degeneration

The macula is the central portion of the retina responsible for detailed central vision. Age-related macular degeneration can interfere with activities such as reading, recognizing faces and driving.

Many factors influence a person's risk of developing macular degeneration. Protecting the eyes from excessive UV exposure is one reasonable part of an overall approach to maintaining eye health.

Protect Children's Eyes From the Sun

Children spend significant amounts of time outdoors, making eye protection especially important. Sunglasses designed for children should fit securely, provide proper UV protection and be durable enough for everyday activity.

Developing the habit of wearing sunglasses at a young age can help make eye protection part of a child's normal outdoor routine.

When Sun-Related Eye Symptoms Need Attention

Occasional dryness or irritation may improve after moving indoors, drinking water or using lubricating eye drops. Symptoms that continue, become painful or cause changes in vision should not be ignored.

Persistent redness, eye pain, unusual sensitivity to light, blurred vision or other ongoing changes can have causes unrelated to heat or ordinary sun exposure and should be evaluated by an eye doctor.

At Choice Vision Care & Wellness in Wellington, Florida, Dr. Salvatore DeCanio and our eye care team can evaluate changes in vision, dry eye symptoms and other concerns that may affect your eye health.