Education and Treatment for Eye Damage and Disease from UV Light

While sunburn is usually the first danger you think of with ultraviolet, or UV light, unprotected exposure to UV light can also damage your eyes. Education, prevention and the proper treatment can help avoid eye damage.

What is Ultraviolet Light?

• Sources of UV light include sunlight, commercial tanning booths, some fluorescent lights, halogen lamps and electric or carbon arcs. A guide to UV Light Safety, available on the Prince University website, states that unprotected exposure to UV light can cause eye injury, skin burn and aging, even skin cancer.

Eye Damage from UV Light

• Exposure to high-intensity UV rays can cause photokeratitis (eye injury) to your cornea, which can include welder's eye, spots on the cornea called pinguecula, tissue formations called pterygium and may lead to cataracts . According to the American Journal of Pathology, UV light is a major factor in the formation of pterygium.

Symptoms of Eye Damage

• UV overexposure symptoms, according to the Prince University guide, include: burning or pain in the eye; light sensitivity; the sensation of sand or a foreign substance in the eye and tearing. Symptoms usually develop some hours after overexposure has occurred.

Protective Glasses

• In daylight (particularly between 10 am and 2 pm, when UV rays are strongest) or operating UV light equipment, wear protective glasses that guarantee protection against UV rays. According to The American Academy of Ophthalmology, not all sunglasses offer proper protection.

Treatment for UV-Damaged Eyes

• If your eyes have been overexposed to UV light, The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends seeing an ophthalmologist immediately. He can test for corneal damage and offer treatments, including antibiotics to prevent infection.