Can looking at the sun and exposure to sunlight harm your eyes?

Although the sun is our source of life, its ultraviolet (UV) rays can pose serious risks to eye health. As the sun becomes stronger during the summer months, protecting your eyes becomes increasingly important. But can looking directly at the sun or prolonged exposure to sunlight damage your eyes?

Yes, it can. UV-A and UV-B rays from the sun can cause various eye conditions when your eyes are unprotected. Looking directly at the sun without protection, especially during a solar eclipse, is particularly dangerous. This can cause solar retinopathy, which can lead to irreversible eye damage.

Sunlight also plays a role in the development of conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration and pterygium (a growth of tissue on the eye) over the long term. Although the cornea and the eye’s lens help filter UV rays, this protection is limited.

What should you do?

• Wearing sunglasses with UV protection is an effective way to protect your eyes from harmful rays. Choose sunglasses that provide full protection against UVA and UVB rays (UV400), rather than simply having dark lenses.
• Wearing a hat reduces the amount of direct sunlight reaching your eyes.
• Sunlight reflects more intensely off surfaces such as the sea, snow or sand, so remember to wear sunglasses in these environments.

Looking directly at the sun and exposure to UV rays without protection pose serious risks to eye health; simple precautions can prevent much of this risk. If you have noticed tissue extending from the white of your eye towards the cornea, you can visit the Pterygium Surgery page.