Exposure to the Sun has been linked to all kinds of eye problems, from cataracts, to macular degeneration and skin cancer around your eyelids.  The problem is not the sun itself, but those harmful ultraviolet rays we’ve all heard of, mostly during the summer months and around beach areas.  Ultraviolet rays not only harm your skin and could cause serious damage, but they also have the potential to cause damage to eyes.  And just like you wear sun screen with SPF to shield your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, you also need to shield your eyes, or you risk potential problems in the future.  What can you do? The most important thing you can do is to get yourself a really good pair of sunglasses.  Cheap sunglasses are more harmful than good and don’t protect your eyes enough.  Look on the label and find a pair of sunglasses that blocks out 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.  Don’t just choose a pair of sunglasses with the most tint.  You have to make sure they say they block out at least 99% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.  Wearing a hat will help as well.  It will keep the sun from coming in from overhead.  There is nothing wrong with the sun and it has many, many benefits.  But with prolonged exposure you are at risk unless you take precautions.

The Sun: A Gorgeous Force