Potential Effects of UV Radiation 

on Eyes

UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays, can

damage the eye, affecting surface tissues and internal structures, such as

the cornea and lens.

Long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts, skin cancer

around the eyelids, and other eye disorders.

In the short-term, excessive exposure to UV radiation from daily 

activities, including reflections off of snow, pavement, and other 

surfaces, can burn the front surface of the eye, similar to a sunburn 

on the skin.

The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without 

adequate eye protection can increase the likelihood of developing the 

following eye disorders:

 Cataracts: A clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision.

 Snow Blindness (Photokeratitis): A temporary but painful burn to the

cornea caused by a day at the beach without sunglasses; reflections off

of snow, water, or concrete; or exposure to artificial light sources such

as tanning beds.

 Pterygium: An abnormal, but usually non-cancerous, growth in

the corner of the eye. It can grow over the cornea, partially

blocking vision, and may require surgery to be removed.

 Skin Cancer around the Eyelids: Basal cell carcinoma is the most

common type of skin cancer to affect the eyelids. In most

cases, lesions occur on the lower lid, but they can occur anywhere on the eyelids, in the corners of the eye, under the

eyebrows, and on adjacent areas of the face.

PREVENT EYE

DAMAGE

Protect Yourself from 

UV Radiation

Most Americans

understand the link

between ultraviolet

(UV) radiation and skin 

cancer. Many are less 

aware of the connection

between UV radiation and

eye damage. With increased

levels of UV radiation 

reaching the Earth’s surface,

largely due to stratospheric

ozone layer depletion, it is

important to take the 

necessary precautions to

protect your eyes.

RETINA

MACULA

EYELID

CORNEA

IRIS

PUPIL

LENS

Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Did You Know....

 20.5 million Americans have cataracts.

 The economic costs of visual disorders and 

disabilities in the United States in 2003 was 

estimated to be $68 billion.

Source: National Eye Institute <www.nei.nih.gov>, National

Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services 

Preventative Measures for 

Eye Protection

The greatest measure of UV protection is achieved with a

combination of UV-absorbing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed

hat, and for those who wear contact lenses, UV-blocking

contacts.

Look for sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV-A

and UV-B radiation. Wrap-around sunglasses and widebrimmed hats add extra layers of protection because they

block UV rays from entering the eyes from the sides and

above. UV-blocking contact lenses provide added protection against the direct and reflected rays that are not

blocked by sunglasses or hats. As is the case with overall

sun safety, a combination approach works best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does my eye color or skin color affect my risk for eye

damage from UV radiation?

A: While studies show an increased incidence of cataracts

in dark brown irises, people with all eye and skin

colors are susceptible to UV eye damage.

Q: What should I look for when choosing a pair of

sunglasses?

A: No matter what sunglass styles or options you choose,

you should insist that your sunglasses: 

 Block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and 

UV-B radiation. 

 Are perfectly matched in color and are free of 

distortion and imperfection.

Q: Do I have to buy expensive sunglasses to ensure that I

am being protected from UV radiation?

A: No. As long as the label says that the glasses provide 

UV-A and UV-B protection, price should not be a

deciding factor.

Q: Do all contact lenses block UV rays?

A: No. Not all contact lenses offer UV protection and not

all provide similar absorption levels. Ask your eye care

professional for more information, and remember, a

combination approach works best!

For more information, contact:

The American Optometric Association <www.AOA.org>

The American Academy of Opthalmology <www.aao.org>

The National Eye Institute <www.nei.nih.gov>

EPA’s SunWise Program:

Educating Youth About 

Sun Safety 

The SunWise Program is an environmental 

and health education program that aims to 

teach people how to protect themselves from 

overexposure to the sun. The school element of 

the program uses classroom, school, and 

community components to develop sustained 

sun-safe behaviors in children. Additional 

partnerships with local broadcast meteorologists, 

science centers, children’s museums, and 

health experts provide numerous opportunities 

to deliver the SunWise 

message to youth, 

their care givers, and 

the general public. For more

information about SunWise

and how you can participate,

please visit

<www.epa.gov/sunwise>.

Office of Air and Radiation (6205J)

EPA-430-F-07-025

October 2007

REMEMBER!

Exposure to UV radiation has

cumulative effects on the eyes. 

Damage today leads to eye 

problems tomorrow.

PROTECT YOUR EYES 

ALL YEAR-ROUND—

WEAR UV-BLOCKING LENSES AND A HAT!