Winter UV Eye Safety

Most of us remember to wear eye protection and sunscreen in the summer, but we probably don't think about it as much during the winter months.

Studies shows that sun exposure may increase the risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and growths on the eye. It doesn’t mean that UV rays do not affect your eyes in winters. You need to take the necessary precautions in winters too before going out in the sun.

In a recent study published in Archives of Dermatology, researchers took multiple readings of UV radiation at 32 high-altitude ski areas in western North America. They interviewed thousands of skiers and snowboarders to find out whether they took any safety precautions against the UV rays of the sun or not. The study found that most skiers and snowboarders took only occasional precautions against the sun.

The highest UV rating from the Archives of Dermatology study was taken at Mammoth Mountain in California. Sun reflecting off the snow can be very harsh. Exposure to UV radiation can even be high on cloudy days. The higher exposure of the sun in northern hemisphere is at midday.

Excessive exposure to UV light reflected off snow can damage the eyes' front surface. In addition to cataracts and AMD, sun exposure can lead to lesions and tumors that may be cosmetically unappealing and require surgical removal.

You can read the original article published on geteyesmart.org

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