Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned and How to Prevent It

Yes, your eyes can get sunburned, just like your skin. It might seem counterintuitive, but like skin, one’s eyes can burn from excessive exposure to sunlight. This is known as photokeratitis. An eye doctor can treat it, as it can lead to severe eye pain. Like you wear sunscreen to protect your skin, you should also protect your eyes from excessive sun exposure.

In this blog, we’ll discuss eye sunburn, its symptoms, risks, and how to prevent it.

What Is Eye Sunburn (Photokeratitis)?

Photokeratitis is an eye condition that occurs when the eyes are exposed to excessive sunlight. The exposure infects the corneas and the conjunctivae, the transparent membrane that envelops the white of the eye.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, symptoms of sunburned eyes include:

• Eye pain
• Redness
• Blurry vision
• Tearing
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Headache

Can Your Eyes Really Get Sunburned?

Can your eyes get sunburned? Yes, mainly due to excessive exposure to UV radiation. But sunlight is not the only source. Man-made sources of eye sunburn would include tanning beds or lamps. Eye burns can develop from viewing a reflection of the sun off sand, water, ice, or snow. Even one unprotected glance at the sun, including during an eclipse, can result in photokeratitis.

How to Prevent Sunburned Eyes

Nevertheless, you can prevent sunburned eyes. Importantly, this involves eye protection and protective gear.

• Always wear UV protective sunglasses whenever you step out, especially in the daytime. These sunglasses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection against all the UV rays. The polarized lenses of these glasses cut through 99% of UV rays. Choose sunglasses that are labelled accordingly while shopping.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Apart from being stylish, such a hat is a perfect summer beachwear. The hat’s wide brim will protect your face from the sun and block the sun from entering your eyes.
• And when it does, stay out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest, if you live in areas with the sunniest of days. This is the peak time when the sun is directly over you. Try to schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or late evening.
• Avoid applying sunscreen near your eyes. Those sunscreens are not designed for application to the skin, as they can be harmful if used around sensitive areas. The chemicals may irritate your skin and may harm your eyes.  

What to Do If Your Eyes Get Sunburned

Unfortunately, if your eyes get sunburned, you must first do a quick eye sunburn prevention. Enter a dark room and rest a little bit. If you wear contacts, remove them immediately. Place a cold, damp cloth on your closed eyes. Get some over-the-counter artificial tears to soothe your eyes.

Sunburned eyes usually heal on their own within a day or two. Avoid rubbing your eyes during this time. If you notice eye pain getting stronger, consult your ophthalmologist. They might prescribe some pain relievers and eye drop antibiotics to prevent an eye infection.

Note: Never forget about speaking to your doctor for medical advice before using any new medicines. Should you wear contact lenses, avoid using them again until your cornea has healed completely.

Here are some tips that could help speed up eye healing:

• If you wear those UV protective sunglasses, they will help the sore eyes to heal and also block the bright light.
• Keep away the makeup and false eyelashes; they will cause irritation of the eyes.
• So, if one has lash extensions, they should ask the doctor if they need to take them out.
• No salt or chlorinated water should enter the eyes when swimming. Use airtight goggles.

Long-Term Effects of UV Exposure on Eyes

Photokeratitis usually heals on its own within a couple of days. But there are some cases where the consequences or the damages, such as cataract, macular degeneration, and even pterygium, may become serious.

• When the eye lens becomes hazy, there is a vision problem, which not only causes unclear vision but also causes the disease cataract.
• Macular degeneration leads to impairments in the central vision and gets worse over time.
• Pterygium is a growing wedge extending into the corner of your eye.

Conclusion

Your eyes can get sunburned just as easily as any other part of your body. So it is logical to extend that protection to them. It’s easy to protect them — just don’t stare at the sun for too long, and use your best sunglasses for UV protection. Symptoms of photokeratitis may include eye pain, blurring, or swelling, but typically resolve on their own. Yet there are risks. Other conditions that can occur within the eye without protection include cataracts and macular degeneration.

Protect your eyes today. Invest in quality sunglasses and make UV protection a habit!