20/07/2021
SUNBURN AND ITS DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THE EYEBALL
Sunlight is made from three types of UV rays (UVA, UVB and UVC). The former two are most risk to health.
UV radiation is present all the time, even on days where it is cloudy and in colder places.
And it could lead to photokeratitis - a temporary eye problem caused by overexposure to UV rays.
Photokeratitis causes inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to blurry vision, colour changes in your vision, headaches and a gritty feeling in the eyes.
The longer you’ve been exposed, the more severe the symptoms - although they should’t last too long. Sunburn of the eyeball can be very painful.
UVA rays contain high levels of radiation energy which can go through the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, to reach the retina at the back of the eye.
“Over time this causes lasting damage, culminating in serious long-term conditions.”
While most of us associate sun damage with skin, it’s been found to be even more serious in the eyes. The eyes are ten times more sensitive to the sun's invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays than the skin.
DANGERS
1) PINGUECULA: Long-term UV damage is the main cause of an eye condition called pinguecula - when lesions appear the white of the eye, called the conjunctiva.
2) PTERYGIUM: A fleshy overgrowth of the conjunctiva which normally starts in the inner corner. While pinguecula is typically harmless and doesn’t need major treatment, pterygium may grow across the cornea affecting vision.
3) CATARACT AND MACULAR DEGENERATION
UV damage is also thought to speed up the process of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Cataracts are when the lens of the eye develops cloudy patches, causing misty vision and sometimes complete vision loss.
4) PHOTORETINITIS /SOLAR RETINOPATHY: Refers to a photochemical toxicity and resultant injury to retinal tissues, usually occurring at the fovea of the macula at the back of the eye.
PREVENTION
Wear sun-blocking lenses such as sunglasses, photochromic, blue- light blocking lenses, sunshades. Wear a hat as well as have a regular eye check up.
✍️ BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Dr. Vivian C. Ibeh
Optometrist