You probably enjoy the bright, sunny days in Long Beach. Spending time outdoors can lift your spirits and energize your body. But as you soak up the warmth, you might wonder what all that light is doing to your eyes. Regular check-ups are key to monitoring your vision, and our team provides comprehensive eye exams to ensure your eyes stay healthy.
The relationship between sunlight and your vision is complex, it offers both benefits and risks. Sunlight is good for your eyes when you take the right precautions to manage UV exposure. By understanding how to balance outdoor time with proper protection, you can support your long-term eye health.
How Natural Light Benefits Your Eyes & Body
Exposure to sunlight helps regulate important functions that affect your daily life, from how well you sleep to how your vision develops over time.
Sunlight’s Role in Children’s Vision
Time spent outdoors in natural daylight can be beneficial for a child’s eye development. More specifically, sunlight plays a part in how the eye grows and may lower the risk of nearsightedness, also known as myopia. This outdoor time helps the eye maintain a healthy shape, which supports clear distance vision as a child gets older.
The Connection to Your Sleep Cycle
The light-sensitive cells in your eyes help manage your body’s internal clock. Getting some daylight, especially in the morning, supports your natural sleep-wake patterns. This can be particularly helpful for older adults who experience changes in their sleep.
A Natural Source of Vitamin D
When your skin is exposed to the sun, your body produces vitamin D, which is important for your overall wellness.
The Risks of Too Much UV Exposure
While sunlight has benefits, the ultraviolet (UV) rays it contains can harm unprotected eyes. This damage can happen quickly after a single exposure or build up over many years. Both short-term discomfort and long-term conditions are possible without the right protection.
Long-Term Damage from the Sun
Repeated, long-term exposure to UV radiation without proper eye protection increases the risk for several serious eye conditions. These problems often develop slowly over time, so you may not notice them until your vision is affected.
- Cataracts—a clouding of the eye’s natural lens
- Macular degeneration—damage to the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision
- Growths on the eye, such as pterygium
- Cancers on the eye or eyelid
Short-Term Sun-Related Eye Problems
You can also experience immediate effects from too much sun. These conditions are often painful but typically temporary if you protect your eyes from further exposure.
- Photokeratitis—this is like a sunburn on the cornea of your eye, causing pain and light sensitivity
- Snow blindness—a form of photokeratitis caused by intense UV rays reflected off snow or ice
Times & Places with a Higher UV Risk
The sun’s intensity changes depending on the time of day, the season, and where you are. It’s helpful to know when to be extra careful.
Peak Hours for Sun Intensity
UV rays are strongest from midday to the early afternoon, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Light is also more intense during the summer months when the sun is higher in the sky. Plan your outdoor activities with these peak times in mind.
How Your Environment Affects Exposure
Certain surfaces and conditions can increase your UV exposure by reflecting the sun’s rays. This reflection can mean you’re getting hit with UV light from above and below. Be mindful when you are around these surfaces.
- Water, snow, & sand
- Higher altitudes
- Hazy or cloudy days—up to 80% of UV rays can still pass through clouds
Simple Steps for Sun Safety for the Whole Family
Protecting your eyes from the sun is straightforward. Making these habits part of your routine helps shield your vision and the vision of your loved ones for years to come. A few simple actions can make a big impact.
- Wear Protective Sunglasses: Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA & UVB rays or are labeled as UV400. This is the most direct way to protect the delicate structures inside your eyes.
- Put on a Hat: A hat with a wide brim all the way around it offers good protection for your eyes, face, & neck. It blocks sunlight that might otherwise reach your eyes by passing around the edges of your sunglasses.
- Remember Everyone Is at Risk: For instance, a child’s eyes are still developing, and an older adult’s eyes may be more vulnerable to UV damage.
- Never Look Directly at the Sun: Staring at the sun—even for a few seconds—can cause serious and permanent damage to your retina. This is true even during an eclipse.
Create a Sun-Safe Plan for Your Eyes
Enjoying time outside while keeping your eyes safe is all about balance. You don’t have to avoid the sun completely to protect your vision. A few smart choices make a big difference for your family’s eye health.
A Balanced Approach to Sunlight
A little bit of natural light is good for you, but too much UV exposure is a risk. The key is to get the benefits of daylight while using proper protection to block the harmful rays. Think of sunglasses and a hat as essential gear for any trip outdoors.
Discuss Your Needs with a Professional
If you have questions about the right eye protection for your family’s lifestyle, you can talk with a local professional. As your eye doctor in Long Beach, we can offer personalized advice and help you find prescription or non-prescription options that fit your activities and needs.
At Total Vision Long Beach, we want you and your family to enjoy all the beauty our community has to offer. We can help you find the right protective eyewear for everything from a day at the beach to an afternoon in the park. Schedule a visit with us today to discuss your family’s eye health.
