“What is the long-term damage to your eyes from sun exposure?”
I am a 25 year old female who wears sunglasses most of the time, but doesn't always wear them. What is the long-term damage to your eyes from sun exposure?
6 Answers
UV radiation can cause skin cancers around the eyes, pterygia (which are growths on the eye) and cataracts. These are worst case scenarios- we never tell a patient they got any of these problems because they did not wear their sunglasses!
Floaters, cataracts, sun spots on the whites of the eyes, and macular degeneration are some of the long term problems from extensive sun exposure.
The primary risk is the possible development of a pterygium. Pterygia are more common in surfers, skiers, sailors, farmers, and are more common in southern climates. Other risks include eyelid skin cancers, and rarely cancer on the surface of the eye. UV blocking sunglasses may reduce risk.
Solar retinopathy and maculopathy
Direct exposure causes blindness if you stare into the sun. It's a massive laser. Indirect sun rays over time causes red growths called pterygium and cataracts and macular degeneration.
You can develop early cataracts and/or macular degeneration.
