About UV rays?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation consists of invisible rays from the sun. The three bands of UV light are: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are of little concern as they are absorbed by the upper atmosphere and do not reach the earth’s surface. UVB rays are the ones that burn the skin and can damage the eyes. Combined with cold wind and snow, UVB has the potential to cause snow blindness (photokeratitis), a temporary (lasting 12 to 48 hours) but painful problem in the cornea of the eye. Although not all scientists agree, there is some research that suggests that daily exposure to UVB in very bright sunlight over a period of many years may cause cataracts, a gradual clouding of the lens of the eye. Experts also suspect that the primary cause of eye growths such as pingueculae or pterygia is exposure to UVB rays. People with cataracts (or who’ve had cataract or lens replacement surgery), macular degeneration, and retinal dystrophies should be extra careful.
