What eye damage can occur from ultraviolet rays?
UV-A rays cause tanning and are thought to contribute to the aging of skin, while UV-B causes sunburn. Overexposure to either UV-A or UV-B radiation can cause eye damage and skin cancer. The cornea and the lens in the front part of the eye absorb most UV-B rays, and they do not penetrate to the retina in the back of the eye. It’s these rays that cause alterations to the eye’s natural lens and may cause cataracts. UV-A radiation, although lower in energy, can penetrate more deeply into the eye, causing damage to the retina and leading to conditions such as macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Other eye damage from overexposure to ultraviolet rays includes pterygium, an abnormal growth on the conjunctiva (outer covering of the eye) that may gradually advance onto the cornea and require surgical removal. This particular problem occurs mostly in people who work outdoors in the sun and wind. It often recurs after surgery and if left untreated can cause vision loss. Skin cance
