UV light exposure without protective skin protection can damage skin cells, cause premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, burning we refer to as sunburn, injury to the eyes, and skin cancer. Our eyes are particularly sensitive to UV radiation. Brief exposure can result in corneal inflammation, watery eyes water and vision that may become blurred. By the time we go home from the beach or a picnic at the end of a day, some damage has already occurred and while it is easy enough to see the harmful effects to our skin, we don’t always recognize that our eyes are also affected. We may then top this off with a trip to a tanning salon when we feel we can’t get sufficient time in the sun but feel we must look good for an upcoming event. The result may appear to help us look “healthy” but the damage to our bodies is enormous.
This is not to imply everyone should remain indoors when the sun is overhead but there are methods to limit damage through wearing a hat, long-sleeved shirts and pants, sunglasses, and applying sunscreen. Sunscreens are rated according to what is known as a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more protection an individual will receive from UVB radiation. For example, a number 15 may absorb more than 92% of UVB radiation. A 30 may absorb 96.7%, and a 40 may absorb as much as 97.5% of radiation. Television reports may include a ultraviolet index as part of the weather forecast during hot summer months. An index will range from 0 to 11, with the higher number being extreme. Zero implies minimal protection will be required (sunglasses and perhaps a lower SPF15 screen), while eleven will indicate extra steps should be taken if a person anticipates sun exposure. Generally speaking, mid-day sun between the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM is best avoided and remembers that not all sunglasses will block 100% of UV rays.
Extended periods of UV exposure has been linked with cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (inflammation of the cornea) that can cause a temporary loss of vision, and other unwanted conditions. Individuals with low vitamin C and other antioxidants may be at an increased risk of retinal damage from high energy visible radiation. Therefore, it is important to protect our eyes by wearing good wrap-around sunglasses, even on hazy days because cloud cover doesn’t affect UV levels significantly. Further, some medications including tranquilizers, tetracycline, sulfa drugs, diuretics and birth control pills can increase body sensitivity to UV and HEV radiation. You may wish to speak with your health care provider regarding spending time out of doors if you are on such products.
Oddly enough, we tend to think of sun exposure to our skin and eyes primarily during the summer months as the main cause of UV exposure but welders, library workers where document review might utilize Mineralights, working in buildings equipped with mercury vapor lamps or in biological laboratories where germicidal UV light is used are but a few of the possibilities for work-related exposure. Some medical and dental offices even use UV radiation to kill bacteria. Those individuals at potential risk from UV radiation exposure include lighting technicians, forensic experts, dermatologists, construction workers, foresters, and a host of other, unnamed professions. Sunlight is the primary source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in our lives today so keep in mind that some UV exposure is essential for good health because it stimulates the production of vitamin D in the body. It’s the excesses that may be unhealthy. On the positive side, however, UV lamps treat psoriasis and jaundice in newborns.
No one, light or dark-skinned, should be afraid of going out of doors during this glorious time of year but protection and moderation are key. Above all, keep in mind that your children may be spending more time out of doors than you do and they are more susceptible to retinal damage from those damaging rays. Protect them as well with good sunglasses and sunscreens that should be applied every few hours a day when they are exposed.