How Solar Radiation Affects Our Eyes - Pakistan

Most people think of the damage that sun rays can cause on their skin and buy sunscreens, sunscreens, and creams that avoid as much as possible the terrible burns and injuries that summer often gives us. However, very few take care of the incidence of solar radiation on our eyes.
Have you not felt after a delicious day at the beach the irritating sight or a certain tearing? Then continue reading this article and you will find out how solar radiation affects our eyes.

What Are Solar Radiation?

The solar radiations are those electromagnetic waves emitted by the sun whose spectrum ranges from infrared to ultraviolet. Most of these rays are absorbed by the components of our atmosphere; but the rest comes to us regulating the temperature of the Earth, allowing the growth and development of plants and microorganisms and the production of crops, among many other benefits.

In the case of human beings, sunlight plays a key role in our lives. In addition, it is responsible for us to produce vitamin D, which regulates the incorporation of calcium in the bones.

However, these radiations can also be harmful to health. In particular, they can damage the skin and eyes if we overexpose it.

In the case of the latter, ultraviolet radiation, which includes wavelengths between 150 and 400 nm, seems to have a higher incidence, although visible radiation (from 400 to 780 nm) and infrared (from 780 to 1400 nm) also They can have negative effects.

How Does Solar Radiation Affect Our Eyes?

In the following paragraphs, we will try to answer the question about how solar radiation affects our eyes by following the information published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In addition, we will warn about the importance of implementing the appropriate measures that avoid temporary or permanent damage.

1. Eye Burns

Due to overexposure to the sun's rays, either directly or indirectly - their reflection in the water, ice or snow - our eyes suffer burns of varying degrees of severity.

The cornea, the lens, and the retina are especially sensitive to the sun. The main symptoms of burns are:

• Redness
• Irritation.
• Tearing
• Pain.
• Feeling of having sand in the eyes.
• Blurry vision.
• Sight loss.

Faced with a problem like this, as well as any of the ones we will list below, the main measure is to go to the ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Natural remedies cannot cure burns, and these must be treated to prevent further damage.

2. Ophthalmia

As a result of excessive exposure to sunlight, this painful inflammation occurs in the eyes. The ophthalmia of the snow turns out to be the most common, caused by the reflection of the sun on snow and ice. The main symptoms of ophthalmia are:

• Tearing
• Temporary blindness
• Inflamed eyelids
• Pain in the light

3. Pterygium

The sun's rays turn out to be the triggering agent that causes the excessive growth of tissue on the cornea in people with a genetic predisposition to this condition. The main symptoms of pterygium are:

• Redness
• Tearing
• Foreign body sensation in the eye.

4. Waterfalls

People suffering from this disease suffer from a gradual darkening of the lens of the eye. In this way, your visual acuity decreases and you can even reach total vision loss.

In people who already have cataracts, these radiations cause discomfort and glare. The main symptoms of cataracts are:

• Glare
• Progressive decrease of distant vision.
• Cloudy or blurred or stained vision.
• Black spots.
• Variations in the color of the pupils.

5. Tumors

The eye is a very sensitive organ; Its exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause the proliferation of cancer cells and lead to benign or malignant tumors.

There are no specific symptoms, so if you see lumps, changes in color or you feel discomfort in your eyes, contact your doctor immediately.

What to Do to Protect Our Eyes From Solar Radiation?

Although we have natural protection mechanisms against sun rays, such as the contraction of eyelids and pupils and the filtering of light performed by the lens of the eye, they are not enough to protect us.

That is why specialists recommend taking the following measures to keep eyes healthy:

• Avoid exposing yourself to sunlight from 10 am to 4 pm, as it is the period in which the radiation is most aggressive.
• Use glasses or lenses with a protection rate of 99% - 100% against ultraviolet rays. See that they have the CE seal.
• Do not wear sunglasses if it is not necessary and never do it in dark places, since by forcing the pupil to dilate unnecessarily frequently you can develop long-term photophobia and become hypersensitive to sunlight.
• Go to the ophthalmologist once a year.

3 Remedies to Protect Our Eyes From Solar Radiation

After a delicious day at the beach, even if you have protected yourself, the heat may irritate your eyes. In circumstances like this, the following home remedies may offer some relief.

Remember, however, that none of these alternatives can replace professional treatment in the case of more serious eye problems.

Remedy # 1: Aloe Vera Against Inflammation

Various studies refer to the possible properties of aloe when added to medications to treat eye problems, such as conjunctivitis. However, the natural remedy that we will present here is mainly linked to traditional medicine, and there is no scientific evidence that fully supports its effectiveness.

Extended indications for use over time recommend cutting the aloe vera leaf into large pieces and moistening a cotton ball in the clear liquid that the plant secretes.

You will pass this cotton gently on the affected eyelid twice a day: in the morning and at night. Wait a few minutes and rinse with chamomile or rose water. Repeat the treatment until you are relieved.

Remedy # 2: Tomato Against Pain

According to popular beliefs, tomato can be effective for burns because of its high water content. Place a slice of fresh tomato in each eye for 5 minutes three times a day and, in theory, your inflammation will subside.

For serious eye problems, remember to consult with the specialist instead of resorting to these remedies without further ado.

Remedy # 3: Refreshing Cucumber

Cucumber also has high water content. If you want to refresh your tired eyes, appeal to this natural remedy - whose effects have been partially proven - and place a thin slice of cucumber on each of them and you will see the results.