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Speaking from personal experience, I know the damaging effects that the sun can have on the human body. While we need the sun for life itself to exist, too much direct exposure to its rays can cause serious medical issues and conditions to arise. Vitamin D is a vital cog in the human bodily structure and it's well being, with the body synthesising it through adequate exposure to sunlight. However, as many people are aware, too much sunlight can cause skin cancer by allowing to much harmful UV light to filter through and onto the skin. Through in many cases vanity, and a desire to have that 'healthy' Hollywood glowing tan, this form of cancer can occur, sometimes easily treated, but unfortunately in others incredibly aggressive and untreatable forms can become apparent. While the average person is aware of this, regardless of the lengths that they go to in order to avoid such problems, the percentage of the public that understands the issues that over exposure to UV rays can cause to eye sight is worryingly low.
Recent studies on public awareness regarding the harm that can be caused by UV rays:
- 79% understand the link between too much sunlight and skin issues such as cancer
- 6% understand the link between too much sunlight and eye related issues
With these facts in mind, many scientists also make the next step forward through concerns that ozone damage to our planet, can not only effect global warming and the consequences of that, but also the damage it can cause to the human body as a result. The worry is that as the vital filtering system used by the Earth degrades, more and more harmful UV rays are passing through. The obvious answer would be to encourage more and more people to wear protection for their eyes in this instance, with the apparent option being use of sunglasses, and those of a good quality, when out and about in sunny weather.
Problems caused to the eye region by over exposure to UV rays:
- Cancer
- Malignant epidermal carcinomas
- 'Surfer's Eye' or pterygium
- Corneal burning
- Links to cataracts and other age related eye conditions
Unfortunately, many ophthalmologists and optometrists believe that appealing to a persons eye health is not the best route. It appears that most of us only begin to take notice or make changes when conditions begin to effect our 'looks' and cause issues with our own personal vanities. Due to this, specialists are hoping to increase awareness by pointing out the effects such rays can cause to our appearance, such as wrinkles or crow's feet, as this method is believed to have a much better response level than possible internal conditions.