UV related eye diseases

"Ultraviolet radiation can play a contributory role in the development of various ocular disorders including cataract, pterygium, cancer of the skin around the eye, photokeratitis and corneal degenerative changes, and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration.

Cataract is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness world-wide. Laboratory studies have implicated UV radiation as a causal factor for cataract. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have shown that certain types of cataract are associated with a history of higher exposure to UV, and especially UV-B radiation.

Age-related macular degeneration is the major cause of reduced vision in the U.K (most of the western populations) for people over the age of 55. Exposure to UV and intense violet/blue visible radiation is damaging to retinal tissue in laboratory experiments, thus scientists have speculated that chronic UV or violet/blue light exposure may contribute to ageing processes in the retina.

Pterygium is a growth of tissue on the white of the eye that may extend onto the clear cornea where it can block vision. It is seen most commonly in people who work outdoors in the sun and wind, and its prevalence is related to the amount of UV exposure. It can be removed surgically, but often recurs and can cause cosmetic concerns and visual loss if untreated. Excessive UV exposure is well known to predispose to skin cancer, which includes the eyelids and facial skin.

Photokeratitis is essentially a reversible sunburn of the cornea resulting from excessive UV-B exposure. It occurs when someone spends long hours on the beach or snow without eye protection. It can be extremely painful for 1 to 2 days and can result in temporary loss of vision. There is some indication that long term exposure to UV-B can result in corneal degenerative changes."