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What effect do the sun's rays have on the eyes?
The sun lures us outdoors and puts us in a good mood. But its power should not be underestimated, because its radiation can not only damage the skin, but also the eyes. Anyone who spends time outdoors without adequate protection risks serious eye damage.
How harmful is the sun for the eyes?
As important as the sun is for our existence, it can, however, be harmful for the health of our skin and also our eyes. In addition to sunburn, too much UV radiation can cause lasting damage to the cornea, conjunctiva, retina and lens of the eye. UV radiation can, for example, cause age-related macular degeneration, which can even lead to blindness.
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How UV rays can harm the eyes
- Damage to the cornea or conjunctiva: Especially the sun’s UV radiation can cause irritation of the cornea and conjunctiva after only a short time. Then the eyes are not only red and burning, but can also become inflamed.
- Damage to the lens of the eye: Radiation can damage the lens by clouding the gel-like fluid contained in the lens of the eye. This can in turn lead to cataract which can only be treated by surgery.
- Damage to the retina: The most serious damage is to the retina, which can be caused by UV radiation. This is because harmful substances are produced that cause lasting damage, especially to the macula, the site of the sharpest vision. The result can be macular degeneration, which is not treatable and can even lead to blindness.
UV radiation and infrared radiation are particularly dangerous. Apart from direct sunlight, indirect sunlight can, however, also damage the eyes through reflection of the rays off snow or water.
How can I protect my eyes from the sun?
The eyes basically have a natural protective mechanism against the sun's rays, which includes the eyebrows, blinking of the eyes and squinting the eyelids when looking into the sun. With these reflexes, it is almost impossible to look directly into the sun with the naked eye – but you should not try this out, as your eyes could be damaged.
In some areas, the reflection of the sun's rays is increased, for example in the mountains when there is snow or at the seaside with the reflecting sand and water. Here, the natural protective mechanism of the eyes is not enough. To protect your eyes properly from the sun, wear sunglasses with UV protection or tinted ski goggles.
When buying them, look for a high-quality product that has a UV protection of 400. A UV protection of 400 ensures the absorption of UV radiation with a wavelength of 280 to 400 nanometres. This guarantees 100% UV protection. But be careful: Tinted lenses do not mean that they also protect against the sun! It is also advisable to cover the eyes from all sides. Sunglasses with wide temple arms or large lenses shield the eyes well. Contact lenses should also have a UV filter.
General rules for eye protection are:
- Never look directly at the sun!
- Avoid the strongest sunlight at midday.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim or a cap that protects from the sun.
Can you get sunburn in your eyes?
It may sound strange, but the eyes can also get sunburnt. The sensitive eyelid, which is often defenceless against UV radiation, is particularly often affected. However, the sun can also cause snow blindness, medically called photokeratitis, for example when skiing or sunbathing.
Symptoms of sunburn of the eyes are:
- redness
- inflammation of the conjunctiva
- increased tearing
After one to two days, the symptoms usually disappear again.
How can I look at the sun?
As a rule, you should never look directly at the sun. Because looking at the bright celestial body can cause permanent damage to your vision within just a few seconds – for example damage to the lens or external burns to the cornea and conjunctiva. If you want to observe a solar eclipse, you should always put on special glasses or put a protective film over your telescope, camera or binoculars.