Health. Sun: Here's why it's so important to protect your eyes

Sunglasses don't just prevent glare; they also protect eye health. The sun's ultraviolet rays, particularly UVA and UVB rays, are dangerous. They are toxic to various tissues in the eye and can cause short- and long-term eye problems.
"And we must be aware that even indirect exposure to the sun can have consequences on eye health. It is not enough to avoid looking at the sun to be protected," explains Dr. Manon Derrien, ophthalmologist at the National Hospital of 15-20 (Paris).
What eye diseases are caused by the sun?In the short term, overexposure to UV rays can be responsible for:
Acute photokeratitis : "This is an inflammation of the cornea , the transparent part of the eye through which we see. Symptoms include red eyes, a foreign body sensation, swelling of the eyelids, decreased visual acuity, and photophobia, a very high sensitivity to light," explains Dr. Manon Derrien. "It is reversible in a few hours or even days, but it is important to seek medical advice. In the meantime, artificial tears, available in pharmacies, can relieve symptoms. And it is important not to wear your lenses!"
Solar retinopathy : This more serious type of burn affects the retina at the back of the eye. "Most often, symptoms are not immediate and occur later in the day. The problems can be irreversible." This condition occurs particularly in cases of direct exposure to the sun (sun-gazing).
Repeated UV exposure can also accelerate the onset of other pathologies. "We talk about sun exposure for the skin, but it's exactly the same for the eyes: cumulative phototoxicity can be responsible for medium- and long-term eye pathologies," explains the ophthalmologist.
Cataract : This eye condition involves clouding of all or part of the lens, which impairs vision.
AMD : This is characterized by the appearance of lesions on the central part of the retina, the macula. “Age-related macular degeneration is multifactorial (age, heredity, sun exposure, etc.). But we know that sun exposure leads to traumatic renewal of the retina and deterioration of photoreceptors, which increases the risk of developing AMD in predisposed patients.”
Skin cancers : particularly in the eyelids.
Melanomas of the choroid and conjunctiva (membranes of the eye) : This is a rare cancer but has a poor prognosis. "Sun exposure is the main risk factor for this cancer."
Pterygium: “This is an outgrowth of the conjunctiva that can even extend onto the cornea and cause visual impairment.”
"And, from a strictly aesthetic point of view, people who expose themselves without eye protection have more wrinkles and small spots around the eyes," emphasizes Dr. Derrien.
Children are the most vulnerable population group to the sun. "The lens becomes increasingly opaque over time and lets less and less light in. But in children, it is completely transparent. UV rays penetrate it and the light is projected onto the retina without any filter," explains the ophthalmologist.
People with light eyes are also at risk. "In this case, overexposure to UV rays is linked to the light color of the irises, which let in much more light."
And of course, people with AMD should not expose themselves to the sun or blue light.
How to protect yourself?"It's important to wear sunglasses with lenses that are wide and covering enough to effectively protect from the rays, regardless of the sun's position. For adults, a size 3 filter is necessary for bright summer conditions, and possibly less if the sky is cloudy. For children, a size 4 filter is always recommended. This will also be recommended for adults in very bright sunlight and in specific conditions, particularly on snow and in summer, on water, during water sports, and even at the water's edge," recommends our expert. Be careful, it is not recommended to drive with size 4 filters.
Otherwise, the advice is the same as for the skin: wear a hat, do not expose yourself during the hottest hours and when the UV index is too high.
"I want to emphasize the cumulative toxicity of the sun to the eyes, which the public seems to be unaware of. Exposure during childhood is a significant risk factor for cataracts, pterygium, and cancer, and it is essential to protect children," emphasizes Dr. Manon Derrien.
Le Progres