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.

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:

® Cataract: 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.

Did You Know....

® 22.3 million Americans have cataracts.

® The direct medical costs of cataracts are $6.8 billion annually.

Source: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services, www.nei.nih.gov and Prevent Blindness America, www.preventblindness.org

Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil-based inks on processed chlorine-free paper that contains at least 50% post-consumer fiber.
EPA’s SunWise Program: 

Educating Youth About Sun Safety 

The SunWise Program is an environmental and 

health education program that teaches children 

and their caregivers how to protect themselves 

from overexposure to the sun. The program uses 

classroom, school, and community components to 

develop sustained sun-safe behaviors in children. 

When choosing sunglasses for children, SunWise, 

in partnership with Prevent Blindness America, 

recommends that you:

® Read the labels: Always look for labels that 

clearly state the sunglasses block 99–100 

percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.

® Check often to make 

sure the sunglasses 

fit well and are not 

damaged.

® Choose sunglasses 

that fit your child’s 

face and lifestyle but 

that are large enough 

to shield the eyes 

from most angles.

® Find a wide-brimmed 

hat to wear with the 

sunglasses. Wide-brimmed hats greatly reduce 

the amount of UV radiation that reaches the eyes.

For more information about SunWise and how you 

can participate, please visit www.epa.gov/sunwise. 

Protect Your Eyes

The greatest amount of UV protection is achieved with a 

combination of: sunglasses that block 99–100 percent of both 

UV-A and UV-B rays; a wide-brimmed hat; and for those who wear 

contact lenses, UV-blocking contacts. Wrap-around sunglasses and 

wide-brimmed hats add extra protection because they help block 

UV rays from entering the eyes from the sides and above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is at risk for eye damage?

A: Everyone is at risk. Every person in every ethnic group is 

susceptible to eye damage from UV radiation.

Q: When do I need to wear sunglasses?

A: Every day, even on cloudy days. Snow, water, sand, and 

pavement reflect UV rays, increasing the amount reaching 

your eyes and skin.

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 99–100 percent of 

both UV-A and UV-B radiation. 

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 

99–100 percent 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:

American Academy of Ophthalmology, www.aao.org

American Optometric Association, www.aoa.org

National Eye Institute, www.nei.nih.gov

Prevent Blindness America, www.preventblindness.org 

Office of Air and Radiation (6205J)

EPA430-F-10-038

August 2010

www.epa.gov/sunwise

REMEMBER—

Exposure to UV radiation has cumulative effects on the 

eyes. Damage today leads to eye problems tomorrow.

PROTECT YOUR EYES EVERY DAY—

WEAR UV-BLOCKING LENSES AND A HAT.