Can Sunlight Damage Your Eyes?

We protect our skin from the sun with lotions, clothing, and other accessories. But did you know your eyes need sun protection too? Direct exposure or overexposure to sunlight can harm your eyes. It can even lead to serious or permanent damage over time.

In this article, we’ll discuss how the sun can damage your eyes, how to determine if you have sun-damaged eyes, and what you can do to protect yourself from the sun.

How the Sun Affects Your Eyes

You’ve probably heard that sunlight is good for you, and in many ways, that’s true. It’s a great source of vitamin D, which is necessary for a healthy body.

But sunlight can also have a negative impact if you’re not careful. When your eyes are exposed to a lot of sunlight, the UV rays can damage your eyes in several ways.

Symptoms of Eye Damage From the Sun

Sun damage to the eyes can result in short-term or long-term signs. Symptoms may not always be obvious and usually vary from person to person. 

If you think you might have sun-damaged eyes, here are some tell-tale signs many people with sun damage experience:

  • Blurry vision
  • Scratchy feeling in the eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Redness or pain in the eyes
  • Sensitivity to the light
  • Halos (bright circles or rings around light) in your vision
  • Temporary vision loss

If you’re still not sure, it may be a good idea to reach out to your optometrist and schedule a comprehensive eye exam. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor can take a look and help you determine what’s going on and what to do about it.

Symptoms of Eye Damage From the Sun

Your eyes need just as much protection from the sun as the rest of your body. For that reason, sunglasses—with UV protection, of course—can be your best friend to combat sun damage to the eyes.

At the end of the day, sun protection is all about the accessories! A great pair of sunglasses (with or without a prescription) and a stylish hat can do more than add flair to your look. They can keep your eyes safe too.