USA Today (6/9, Healy) reports that wearing a hat and protecting eyes “from harmful UV rays” is as much a part of sun protection as slathering on sunscreen. “A 2009 survey by the American Optometric Association found that one in three adults are unaware of the eye health risks of spending too much time in the sun without proper protection.” Excessive UV exposure may result in pterygium, macular degeneration, or cataracts. And, “even a few hours of intense, unprotected exposure can have consequences, says optometrist Sarah Hinkley of the American Optometric Association,” possibly leading to painful photokeratitis.
Blogfinger Medical Commentary:
Photokeratitis is like a sunburn on the conjunctiva, which is the membrane that covers the white part of the eye. It is a worrisome injury which is uncomfortable, although it is usually reversible. A pterygium is a scarring on the eye’s surface which could require surgery to repair.
According to optician Ed Faust at Optical Concepts in Chester, NJ, ultraviolet light can also cause injury to the cornea. He says that a hat offers protection mostly to the skin— with less eye protection. What is needed to protect the eyes are sunglasses for adults or children with lenses that block the high energy UV rays. Polarized lenses are the best, but your eye-care professional can suggest other types of blocking lenses. A solid frame with wide side pieces helps to cut down rays coming from the sides By Paul Goldfinger MD, FACC