Solar Retinopathy, Pterygiums, and Cataracts: Long Term Risks of Looking at the Sun
- BY Catherine Ong
- IN Eye Care
The allure of a solar eclipse is undeniable, the radiant sun that illuminates our world momentarily gets shut out in an ellipse of darkness. However, the sun emits harmful, high energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage the delicate structures of the eyes. In this article, we’ll look at some conditions that can be caused by direct solar viewing and the potential consequences it may have on your eyesight including solar retinopathy, pterygium, and cataracts.
Shop Zenni Sunglasses
Solar Retinopathy
Solar retinopathy is a condition affecting the retina caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. When we look at the sun, the intense light gets focused by our eye onto a pinpoint central portion of our eye called the fovea. Prolonged exposure can cause thermal damage to these photoreceptor cells and cause blurred vision, central scotomas (blind spots), and/or color distortion.
Shop These Zenni Frames
Pterygium
Excessive exposure to UV radiation is a known risk factor for the development of pterygium. Pterygium is a growth of fleshy tissue that starts on the white part of your eye called the conjunctiva, and can extend onto the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This growth is often associated with prolonged sun exposure, leading to irritation, redness, and a feeling of a foreign body in the eye. Visually, it can alter the curvature of your cornea and induce irregular astigmatism which is not correctable with glasses. If the pterygium grows closer to the center of your cornea, it can physically block your visual axis and may require surgical removal.
Shop Similar Zenni Frames
Cataract
Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens, have both an age related component and a lifestyle component. Everyone who lives long enough will get a cataract due to the continuous compacting of cells in your lens, but cataracts can be accelerated by excessive exposure to UV radiation which causes oxidative stress. As cataracts advance, you may experience clouding and blurry vision that may not be correctable with glasses or contact lenses and may require cataract surgey. As prevention, it is recommended to wear sunglasses that block all UV light less than 400 nm.
Shop these Zenni Sunglasses
Protecting Your Eyes
As we marvel at the wonders of the universe, let’s not forget to prioritize the safety of our eyes. The risks associated with direct sun gazing are preventable through simple yet effective measures. For daily use, invest in a pair of good quality sunglasses – we love Transitions lenses and polarized lenses.
If you’re planning on viewing a solar eclipse, ensure you are equipped with certified solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. These glasses block harmful UV, visible, and infrared radiation, ensuring your eyes are shielded during a solar eclipse.
Solar eclipses are breathtaking phenomena, but the consequences of direct sun viewing can be irreversible. Your eyes are precious, and safeguarding them during a solar eclipse is a responsibility we all share.
