The UV Index used by our national weather service has made us more aware about the risk of sunburn and skin cancer from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. But, did you know UV and other radiation from the sun can also harm your eyes?
Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays has been linked to eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration that can cause temporary vision loss.
New research suggests the sun’s high –energy visible (HEV) radiation – also called “blue light” – may increase your long-term risk of macular degeneration. People with low blood plasma levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants especially appear to be at risk of retinal damage from HEV radiation.
| UV Protection Recommendations | ||
| UV Index | Risk Level | Recommendations |
| 2 or less | Low | 1. Wear sunglasses. 2. If you burn easily, use sunscreen with an SPF* of 15+. |
| 3 – 5 | Moderate | 1. Wear sunglasses. 2. Cover up and use sunscreen. 3. Stay in the shade near midday, when the sun is strongest. |
| 6 – 7 | High | 1. Wear a hat and sunglasses. 2. Cover up and use sunscreen. 3. Reduce time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. |
| 8 – 10 | Very high | 1. Wear a hat and sunglasses. 2. Cover up and use sunscreen. 3. Minimize sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. |
| 11+ | Extreme | 1. Wear a hat and sunglasses. 2. Apply sunscreen (SPF 15+) liberally every two hours. 3. Try to avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. |
Protect your eyes from Ultraviolet radiation
Always wear good quality sunglasses when outdoors. 
Sunglasses should block 100% of UV Rays and also absorb most HEV Rays
To protect as much of the delicate skin around the eye as possible, try at least one pair of sunglasses with large lenses or wrap around frames as they provide the best protection because they limit how much stray sunlight reaches your eyes from above and beyond the periphery of your sunglass lenses
Depending on your outdoor lifestyle, you may also want to explore performance sunglasses or sport sunglasses
In addition of wearing sunglasses, wearing a wide-brimmed hat on sunny days can reduce your eyes’ exposure to UV and HEV rays by up to 50%
Outdoor risk factors
Anyone who spends time outdoors is at risk of eye damage from UV and HEV exposure. This changes day to day and depends on a number of factors:
- Geographic location – nearer the equator = higher risk
- Altitude – UV levels are greater at higher altitude
- Time of day –UV and HEV levels are greater when sun is high in the sky from 10am to 2pm
- Setting – UV and HEV levels are greater in wide open spaces, especially with high reflective surfaces such sand and snow (in fact exposure can nearly double when reflected in snow)
- Medications – certain medications such as birth control pills, diuretics and tranquilisers can increase your body’s sensitivity to UV and HEV radiation
Surprisingly cloud cover doesn’t affect UV levels significantly. Your risk of UV exposure can be quite high even on hazy and overcast days. This is because UV is invisible radiation, not visible light and can penetrate clouds