
23/07/2025
Have you ever damaged your eyes from the sun? Today we’re sharing what to do if it happens to you. 👀
You probably know that harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage not only your skin but also your eyes. 🫣 All it takes is skipping your sunglasses and spending too long looking into the sun or exposing your eyes to UV rays reflected off sand or water and you might end up with photokeratitis: a type of eye damage caused by UV exposure. 🤷♀️
This kind of “sunburn” affects mainly the cornea and usually heals within a few days. But it can be very painful and just like with sunburned skin, you might not notice the symptoms until the damage is already done. 😓
Common signs include:
❌Eye and head pain
❌ Blurred vision
❌ A gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes
❌ Sensitivity to bright light
❌ Constricted pupils
❌ Eyelid twitching
❌ Red, watery, or swollen eyes
❌ In rare cases, temporary vision loss 😵💫
The good news? Photokeratitis usually heals on its own. Here’s what you can do in the meantime to ease the discomfort: 👇
✅ Remove your contact lenses if you're wearing any
✅ Use lubricating eye drops (a.k.a. artificial tears)
✅ Rest your eyes in a dark or dimly lit room
✅ Take over-the-counter pain relievers
✅ Apply a cold compress to your closed eyes (a cloth soaked in cold water works great)
✅ Avoid rubbing your eyes
❗If symptoms don’t improve after a few days, or if they feel especially severe, it's best to consult an eye doctor.
Going on a summer holiday? Follow us for more helpful tips and eye care advice. 😎