Unlike the skin, which can adapt to UV radiation by becoming browner and thicker, the eye does not have any such defence mechanisms. On the contrary, research shows that eyes become more sensitive with increased exposure to radiation. This can damage the cornea, the lens and the retina. The most common eye diseases associated with increased UV radiation are eye cancer, conjunctivitis, pterygium and senile cataracts. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the anterior portion of the eyeball.
Pterygium is a thickening of the membrane that covers the eyeball.
A cataract is a partial or complete opacity of the lens of the eye and the largest cause of blindness in the world. Immunological Effects Ultraviolet radiation suppresses allergic reactions of the skin and affects the immune system. As a result, the body fails to produce the antigens required for defence against a variety of diseases. This could have serious consequences, including a much diminished effectiveness of vaccinations. This would lead to an increase in diseases like measles, herpes, malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy and fungal infections, all of which have a stage involving the skin.