How to protect your eyes from solar radiation

Surely you have heard of UVA and UVB rays, right? Yes, that invisible solar radiation that causes huge damage to our skin and which we must protect ourselves by using sunscreen daily and avoid the sun from 10 am to 4 pm.

But did you know that these rays are also extremely harmful to the health of our eyes? Not only is our skin affected by ultraviolet radiation, it also affects our vision.

A report released in 2009 by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 60,000 people per year die from diseases related to excessive solar radiation in the body. In addition to skin protection we must also protect our eyes from the dangers of overexposure to UV radiation.

The rule is simple: Everything the ultraviolet ray does to the skin it does to the eye. As with the skin, are the effects of ultraviolet radiation cumulative in the eyes and may increase early the risk of developing diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration and pterygium? according to ophthalmologist Dr. Henrique Minoru Musse.

UVA and UVB rays? understand each of them

The ozone layer (located between 20 and 60 km above Earth) exists to block and filter the passage of sunlight. Due to the gradual destruction of this layer, lightning has been reaching Earth more easily.

According to the National Cancer Institute? INCA, solar emissions propagate in the form of waves, didactically classified by their magnitude. The ultra-violet rays are classified according to the length of this wave: UVA rays of 320-400nm length and UVB rays corresponding to 280-320nm.

• UVA rays: easily cross the atmosphere and the ozone layer. They reach the deepest layers of body tissues, including the eyes. Similar incidence in summer or winter. In the eyes, it can cause cataract, which leads to partial or total loss of vision.
• UVB rays: highest incidence occurs between 10h and 16h. They have reduced ability to travel large distances in the atmosphere and are partially filtered by the ozone layer. Of the total UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface, about 5% is UVB.

Intense exposure to UV rays can cause some eye diseases:

• Skin cancer around the eyes;
• Cataract;
• Macular Degeneration;
• Photokeratitis;
• Keratitis;
• Conjutival Cyst;
• Pterygeal.

According to Ophthalmologist Dr. Sergio Pacheco, Ultra Violet radiation causes early appearance of Cataracts and Pterygea and other changes on the outer surface of the eyeball: • Cataract is one of the leading causes of reversible blindness in the world. , it is imperative that every eye lens comes with the specific filter, whether it be prescription or non-prescription glasses, contact lenses and intraocular lenses.

Choosing a product without origin and optical quality can cause discomfort, constant headaches, even nausea and vomiting in some people, as Pacheco says.

Research indicates that excessive and cumulative exposure during the first 20 years of life increases the risk of cancer, so protection should begin early. It is also important to consider that injuries caused by UV radiation do not cause any immediate and apparent reaction in humans, which requires extra caution!

How to protect your eyes from sunlight

Ophthalmologist Henrique Minoru Musse advises that the main detail to be observed is the safe origin of the product to be purchased: "never buy at street vendors".

One of the ways to also protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays is through the use of wide-brimmed hats and caps and sunglasses with solar radiation protection (with UV absorption specifications up to 400 nm)? which guarantees the blocking of almost 100% of ultraviolet rays.

When choosing a sunglasses one tip is to choose large frames that are close to the eyes to prevent sunlight from passing through the side of the frame.

Pacheco gives a few extra tips when choosing: • The lenses should have a proof of quality with their factory warranty. If they do not come with this warranty, it is advisable to take care of an ophthalmologist to measure the UV radiation filter and to test on the device whether the material is of good optical quality. Should the acrylic imitate the crystal mirror that does not ripple the image unlike the poor quality mirror? affirms.

The bad quality sunglasses? without certified UVA / UVB protection? may cause more damage to the eyes than not using them.It turns out that when we wear sunglasses the pupil opens and the more light penetrates the eyes, letting in more UVA / UVB rays that will damage the retina and lens of the eye.

UV Radiation and Eye Health (April 2024)