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The beauty of Tasmania is undeniable, but with our clear skies and stunning scenery come the unfortunate realities of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Just as with skin, excessive UV can be incredibly harmful for your eyes. However, while sunburn is a painful and obvious sign of overexposure, eye damage often develops silently over time. Short-term symptoms such as irritation or increased sensitivity may occur, but many long-term conditions appear only after years of cumulative UV exposure.
For this reason, consistent use of sunglasses – even on cool or cloudy days when UV rays can still reach your eyes – is vital for preserving long-term eye health.
Sunlight is essential for wellbeing – regulating our circadian rhythm and boosting vitamin D – but UV damage builds gradually and can contribute to several eye conditions:
Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens in your eye becomes cloudy,
leading to progressively blurry vision. Although cataracts are commonly age-related, long-term UV exposure can speed up their development and quality UV protection is key in maintaining clear vision as you age.
UV radiation increases the risk of cancers not just on the skin, but also in the eye. Ocular melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults, affecting the middle layer (uvea) or surface (conjunctiva). UV exposure can also contribute to periocular cancers on the eyelids and surrounding skin – areas that a good pair of sunglasses should cover.
These growths on the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white of the eye) are the result of years of UV exposure, wind and dust, most common in people who spend long hours outdoors such as surfers, tradies and farmers.
A short-term condition, photokeratitis is the result of incredibly intense UV exposure, often due to reflective surfaces such as sand, snow and water which can reach your eyes even if you’re beneath shade. Often described as “sunburn of the eye,” photokeratitis can cause redness, pain, swelling, headaches and temporary blurred vision.
Protecting your eyes from UV radiation should be a year-round habit. Key tips include:
Not all sunglasses are created equal. To ensure genuine UV protection, look for:
Island Optical is committed to protecting your eyesight with high-quality eyewear suited to the Tassie sun. With fashionable frames and a range of high-quality lens options – including prescription, polarised and photochromic – your eyewear can be tailored to your unique visual needs and lifestyle.
Visit our locations in Hobart or Launceston or explore our sunglasses range online. Our friendly team is here to help you choose eyewear that looks great, fits comfortably, and keeps your eyes protected year-round.
REFERENCES:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun
Cancer Council:
Eye Research Australia: https://www.cera.org.au/sun-safety-for-your-eyes/
