Eye health protection: The importance of wearing sunglasses

Sunglasses are essential for protecting eye health from ultraviolet (UV) radiation during both summer and winter months. According to Pantelis A. Papadopoulos, Coordinating Director of the Ophthalmology Clinic at Metropolitan Hospital and Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at UNIC Athens, UV rays can cause long-term damage and increase the risk of vision problems.

Short-term intense exposure can lead to photokeratitis, a type of solar burn on the cornea characterized by pain, redness, tearing, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. Chronic exposure over many years can cause oxidative damage, altering proteins in the lens and leading to cataracts. Additionally, solar radiation is linked to the development of pterygium and an increased risk of cancer on the eyelids or eye surface, as well as macular degeneration and retinopathy.