It warms us up, puts us in a good mood, gives us a nice tan. These are some of the reasons most people like the sun. But when we expose ourselves to the sun’s rays we should remember that the eyes are also affected and for this reason they must be protected. The visual apparatus, in fact, is very sensitive to the action of solar radiation which, especially in the summer period, can cause damage to all ocular structures such as eyelid dermatitis, keratitis, cataracts and maculopathy.
Electromagnetic radiation
Even if we do not realize it, our eyes continuously interact with electromagnetic radiations which can be non-ionizing or ionizing: non-ionizing radiations are those of the visible (light), infrared radiation, microwaves and radio waves that interact only at the surface level causing a heating of body tissues, explains Luigi Mele, eye surgeon, Luigi Vanvitelli University – Naples and President of the Scientific Committee of the Salmoiraghi & Viganò Foundation . “Ionizing radiations, on the other hand, are those with the highest energy that can cause alterations at the molecular level and can cause significant damage to the biological system”. This category includes ultraviolet radiation Uva, Uvb, Uvc, X-rays and gamma rays, which, at different intensities, are all produced by the sun.
The most dangerous radiation
Ultraviolet radiation is the most dangerous because it is not perceived by the human eye. “Our epidermis – explains Mele – blocks most of the ultraviolet rays and tanning represents a natural defense reaction: the epidermis is rich in cells containing a pigment, melanin, which has a high absorbency for these rays. Even small doses of ultraviolet rays or X rays – continues the ophthalmologist – can cause very serious diseases such as skin cancers or leukemia. Ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, gamma rays and nuclear power are part of it ”.
The damage of infrared radiation on the eyes
The eyelid and the tissues of the eyeball absorb, in different ways, ultraviolet radiation, visible and infrared radiation. Infrared radiation can cause – continues the ophthalmologist – vasodilation and erythema on the eyelids and, at the level of the corneal surface, dry eye caused by the evaporation of the tear film. If, on the other hand, the radiations are absorbed by the lens and the retina, long-term effects can occur such as the so-called cataract of glassmakers and slight macular alterations “.
How much the sun’s rays ‘burn’
Do we know how much exposure to ultraviolet rays can hurt your eyesight? There isn’t much clarity on what you risk being exposed to the various types of ultraviolet radiation. “The UV-A rays – clarifies the ophthalmologist – hit the lens and in the long term can cause cataracts. UV-B rays affect the cornea and conjunctiva causing dry eyes, actinic keratoconjunctivitis, or in severe cases Pterygium, a condition that causes the conjunctiva to grow abnormally on the cornea. Finally, UV-C rays have the same effects as UV-B rays but, in our latitudes, they are completely blocked by the ozone layer.
Glasses like sunscreen for the skin
How to protect yourself from the potential damage of solar radiation? Clarifies Mele: “The safest way for a good prevention of ocular damage from solar radiation is the use of lubricating eye drops based on hyaluronic acid and sunglasses with certified lenses and with total UV screen. On vacation, a cap with a visor can also help ”.
Prevention for eye health
Unfortunately, prevention is not very common when it comes to the eyes because most people think they should only go to the eye doctor when they have a vision disorder. Precisely to fill this void, the Salmoiraghi & Viganò Foundation was born in 2019 with the aim of creating a culture on vision prevention. The Information and Prevention Campaign called ‘Meet the Ophthalmologist’ goes in this direction, which through a series of meetings aimed at citizens has fostered useful and important scientific dissemination to invite visual prevention at all ages with practical advice also on how to protect your eyes from solar radiation.