Yes. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) can cause short-term and long-term damage. UV exposure has been implicated as a risk factor for diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration; and excessive UV exposure can cause skin cancer of the eyelids.
The best way to protect your eyes from the sun is to wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. Adding a broad-brimmed hat is also helpful. And, you should have your eyes examined by a doctor regularly to detect any signs of damage as early as possible.