You are my sunshine…

Written By Bhumi Desai

The relationship between sun exposure and eye health

Protecting Your Eyes in the Sun

During summer, we spend a lot of time outside, enjoying the sun. While most people remember to put on sunscreen to protect their skin, it's really important to protect your eyes too! Wearing good eye protection from a young age can help keep your eyes safe from harmful UV rays.

What Are UV Rays?
UV radiation comes from the sun and can also come from certain indoor lights. According to Dr. Michael Kutryb, an eye doctor, UV rays can hurt the surface of your eyes, the cornea, and the lens. Many people don’t realize how dangerous these rays can be. Wearing sunglasses that block UV rays can help keep your eyes safe and reduce the risk of serious eye problems.

Why UV Light is Harmful to Your Eyes

Too much sun exposure can lead to eye problems. Here are some issues that sunglasses can help prevent:

  • Cataracts and Eye Cancers: These can take years to develop. Every time you're in the sun without eye protection, you're increasing your risk. That's why it’s essential for babies and children to wear sunglasses and hats.

  • Growths on the Eye (Pterygium): These can appear in teenagers or young adults, especially for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, like surfers or farmers.

  • Snow Blindness: This can happen when UV rays bounce off snow or ice and damage your eyes.

How to Protect Your Eyes

When buying sunglasses, make sure they offer 100% UV protection or UV400 protection, which blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays. Here are some more tips to keep your eyes safe from UV damage:

  • Wear a Hat: A wide-brimmed hat can provide extra protection alongside your sunglasses.

  • Protect Everyone: Make sure kids and older adults wear hats and sunglasses too.

  • Watch Out for Clouds: UV rays can still reach you on cloudy days.

  • Know When the Sun is Strongest: The sun’s rays are strongest from midday to early afternoon, especially at high altitudes or near water, ice, or snow.

  • Never Look Directly at the Sun: This can seriously damage your eyes, even during events like eclipses.

  • Avoid Tanning Beds: They can harm your eyes just like the sun.

By following these simple steps, you and your family can enjoy the sunshine safely all year round.

The Positive Side of Sunlight

Sunlight has health benefits too! It helps regulate our sleep cycles, which is important as we get older. Plus, spending time outside can help kids avoid nearsightedness. So, take your children outside to play, but don’t forget their hats and sunglasses!

Citation: American Academy of Ophthalmology. (n.d.). Protect your eyes from the sun. Retrieved November 29, 2025, from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun

Bhumi Desai
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