Do you know the long term effects of UV exposure on your eyes?
Repeated exposure of UV radiation to the eyes causes both short-term and permanent eye damage. The most common short-term impact of UV exposure to the eye is acute photo keratropathy, akin to sunburn of the cornea, which can cause inflammation. More long-term damage can include cataracts and macular degeneration. Exposure to UV radiation over long periods can result in more serious damage to the eyes including squamous cell cancers on the surface of the eye and skin cancer around the eyes.
To protect your eyes from UV exposure be sure to check the label on sunglasses to determine the level of UV protection provided. Darker tinted or polarised lenses may reduce glare, however the darkness or colour of the lens does not indicate the level of UV protection. Cancer council Australia recommends wearing close-fitting, wraparound style sunglasses that meet the Australian and New Zealand standard for sunglasses – Categories 2,3 and 4.
Courtesy of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
If you have any concerning spots that you are worried about, please contact us on 03 5303 0190 to book an appointment with one of our dermatologists.
