Keep your eyes safe IN THE SUN

Sun, sea and sand could be harmful for your vision, so protect yourself with our expert advice

- 

From the salty sting of the ocean to high UV exposure, our eyes have a lot to deal with during the summer months. While we remember to slather sunscreen on our skin, many of us won’t give a thought to how they’re coping with the rays. But we should: eyes are 10 times more sensitive to the sun than skin, and excessive exposure can cause irreversible damage that could even lead to blindness. Here’s how to keep yours safe…

Don’t forget your shades If your eyes are exposed to too much UV radiation, you could be at an increased risk of conditions including corneal sunburn, skin cancers on your eyelids and around the eyes, cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunburned eyes can occur when sunlight shines off water, sand and other reflective surfaces into your eyes. UV rays burn the surface of the eye and can cause pain, redness, blurriness and even temporary vision loss.

That’s why wearing sunglasses is essential, even on cloudy days. Worryingly, nearly three-quarters of us who wear shades are more concerned about whether they look good, rather than if they’re safe to wear*. ‘Look for sunglasses that offer UV400 or 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays,’ says optometrist Sarah Farrant. Since Brexit, you may see ‘UKCA’ on glasses instead of the ‘CE’ mark – both mean that the protection levels have been rigorously tested.