12/02/2026
It's important to consider our eye health during these hot summer days! Here are some of the eye conditions cause or accelerated by UV exposure:
Pterygia, or "Surfer's eye" are extra growth of the conjunctiva, the outer layer of your eye. Those who spend lots of time at the beach are at extra risk; UV can reflect off of the ocean, so your eyes get twice the exposure. While not dangerous or harmful, they can change your vision when they grow in front of the pupil. A simple surgery can remove them, but the aftermath can be quite painful; avoid this with some UV-blocking sunglasses!
Cataracts are a normal part of the aging process, but UV exposure can accelerate their development. They are an opacification of the lens inside your eye, causing, blurred vision that can't be fixed with glasses, difficulty with night driving, and if not removed, they can obscure vision completely. The good thing is cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries in the world.
Photokeratitis is more simply described as a sunburn of the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. Like any sunburn, it can be extremely painful - in fact, the cornea is the most sensitive part of the body! Lubricating eye drops can help relieve some pain, but it'll be a painful 24-72 hours before it resolves.
The most serious condition listed here is solar retinopathy, which is the potentially permanent burning of the sight-seeing back of the eye. This usually occurs by staring directly at the sun or during an eclipse. The cornea and lens of the eye are magnifiers, so when you stare at the sun, intense light is focused on the back of the eye, causing burns. This can decrease vision in such a way that glasses can't fix. Recovery is slow, taking 3-6 months, and sometimes there are visual changes that don't go away.
It's important to never stare directly at the sun, and to wear UV-blocking sunglasses during outdoor time, even on cloudy days and especially by the water. EyeRims Optical has a range of options to protect your eyes now and into the future.
Need a prescription pair? Book with our friendly optometrist at 95234261 or www.eyerimsoptical.com.au!
