Can eyes get sunburned? The answer is yes. Eyes can indeed be "sunburned," and this risk is often underestimated. Besides the eyelids and surrounding skin, the cornea (the transparent tissue at the front of the eyeball) and the sclera (the "white of the eye") can also be damaged when exposed to strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When UV radiation causes an acute irritation and inflammatory response to the anterior surface of the cornea, this condition is called photokeratitis.Prolonged or high-intensity UV exposure is the main cause, including not only direct sunlight but also tanning beds, welding arcs, and even some high-brightness halogen or fluorescent lamps. Without proper protection, high-intensity UV radiation in any environment can damage the ocular surface, affecting eye health and visual comfort.Affected Parts of the EyeWhen the eyes are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for extended periods or at high intensity, multiple ocular structures can be affected to varying degrees, ranging from temporary irritation to irreversible tissue damage.The main affected parts include:The outermost layer of the corneal epitheliumThe conjunctivaThe lensThe retinaAmong these, the conjunctiva is a transparent and soft mucous membrane, divided into the bulbar conjunctiva covering the surface of the eyeball and the palpebral conjunctiva covering the inner sides of the upper and lower eyelids. Both areas are susceptible to UV stimulation without effective protection, triggering an acute inflammatory response. If UV radiation primarily damages the ocular surface tissues (especially the cornea and conjunctiva), this acute ocular surface injury caused by excessive UV exposure is clinically termed photokeratitis, a relatively common type of UV-related eye injury.Common Symptoms of Sunburned EyesAfter excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the eyes may experience varying degrees of discomfort or damage. The severity of symptoms is closely related to the intensity of UV radiation and the duration of exposure. Common symptoms include:Foreign body sensation: Feeling like there are granules or foreign objects rubbing in the eyeEye pain or burningHeadacheInvoluntary eyelid twitching or tightnessIncreased tearingSwelling of the eyelids or ocular surface tissuesRedness of the eyes (conjunctival hyperemia)Temporary blurred visionPhotophobia: Abnormal sensitivity to lightSeeing halos or glareConstricted pupils (abnormal pupillary reflex)Transient decrease in vision or altered color perception (less common)These symptoms usually appear within hours of exposure. Rest and avoidance of further UV exposure can help relieve discomfort. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention as soon as possible for evaluation.Treatment of Sunburn (Photokeratitis)Photokeratitis is mostly a self-limiting disease, usually resolving gradually within 24–48 hours. Treatment principles focus on relieving discomfort, promoting ocular surface repair, and preventing secondary infection. If you suspect UV damage to your eyes, consult a professional ophthalmologist first for proper treatment. Common treatment and care measures include:Use medication as prescribed. Your doctor may recommend pain medication to relieve pain or prescribe antibiotic eye drops if necessary to prevent or control secondary infection.Discontinue contact lens wear immediately. Wearing contact lenses during irritation may worsen corneal damage; discontinue use until symptoms have completely disappeared.Avoid rubbing your eyes. Rubbing your eyes will further irritate the cornea and conjunctiva, delaying healing and even increasing the risk of infection.Apply cold compresses to relieve discomfort. Applying cold compresses with your eyes closed can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.Use pain medication if necessary. Over-the-counter pain medications can be used as advised by a doctor or pharmacist to relieve headaches or eye pain.Wear protective sunglasses. Wearing high-quality UV-protective sunglasses when outdoors can reduce the re-irritation of your eyes from strong light and ultraviolet rays.Use artificial tears. Preservative-free artificial tears can keep the surface of the eye moist, relieving dryness and irritation.Stop applying eye makeup. Cosmetics, false eyelashes, or eyelash glue may irritate the surface of the eye and should be avoided until recovery.Consult a doctor if you wear false eyelashes. If you wear false eyelashes, follow your doctor's advice to determine if they need to be temporarily removed to avoid affecting recovery.Keep your eyes clean and protected. Avoid getting seawater or chlorinated pool water into your eyes; if you need to swim, wear well-sealed swimming goggles.If symptoms do not improve significantly within two days, or if you experience persistent vision loss, severe pain, or other serious eye problems, seek medical attention immediately to rule out more serious eye damage.When to Be Especially Vigilant About UV Damage to the EyesSimply blinking or avoiding direct sunlight is insufficient to protect your eyes from UV radiation. UV intensity can be significantly underestimated in many natural and man-made environments. The following scenarios require particular attention:Water and Highly Reflective EnvironmentsWater surfaces and light-colored surfaces significantly enhance UV reflection, exposing the eyes to double the risk of exposure. Common examples include:Beaches and sandy beachesLakes, reservoirs, and riversDocks and boat decksSwimming pools and other places with bright water surfacesUrban EnvironmentsCities are not UV-safe zones.Architectural glass, metal surfaces, car paint, and concrete pavements all reflect ultraviolet (UV) radiation.Even on cloudy days, UV radiation can penetrate clouds, causing cumulative damage to the eyes and skin.High Altitude and Snowy EnvironmentsThe risk of UV exposure increases significantly when engaging in activities in mountainous or snowy areas:Ice and snow surfaces have extremely high reflectivity to UV radiation, easily leading to snow blindness (a type of photokeratitis).The risk is particularly pronounced for outdoor sports such as mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding without proper protection.The thin air at high altitudes reduces the filtering effect of UV radiation, making the eyes more vulnerable to damage.In extreme cases, severe dryness or even freezing of the cornea may occur.Artificial UV Light SourcesUV radiation generated by certain artificial devices is also highly dangerous, including:Arc welding equipmentUVB tanning lamps specifically for reptiles (commonly used in pet shops or enclosures)Sunbeds: Their UV intensity can be tens to hundreds of times that of natural sunlight, even though they primarily emit... UVA can also cause serious damage to the eyes.Scientific and Effective Eye Protection MethodsTo minimize UV damage to the eyes, the following protective measures should be taken:Choose sunglasses that block or absorb 99%–100% of UV rays.Wear a wide-brimmed hat during outdoor activities to reduce direct and reflected light entering the eyes.When engaging in snowy or high-altitude sports, use sunglasses or specialized goggles with equivalent UV protection.Wearing a helmet in conjunction with UV protection further helps reduce direct sunlight.When using a tanning bed, always wear dedicated protective goggles to avoid naked eye exposure.When operating welding or high-intensity light source equipment, a welding mask or helmet that meets safety standards must be worn.In any environment where strong UV radiation may be present, active protection is key to preventing photokeratitis and other eye injuries.When to Seek Medical AttentionMost cases of photokeratitis following UV damage are transient and usually resolve on their own within 1–2 days. However, you should seek professional medical evaluation promptly in the following situations, and consult an ophthalmologist or optometrist for diagnosis and prescription treatment if necessary:Persistent or worsening symptomsEye discomfort, pain, or photophobia lasting more than 48 hoursNo significant improvement in symptoms after rest and basic careVision-related abnormalitiesSeeing halos or noticeable glareBlurred, darkened, or distorted visionShadows or dark areas in the central visual fieldAbnormal sensitivity to lightDecreased night vision or difficulty seeing at nightBe alert for eyelid skin abnormalitiesEyelier skin is thin and delicate; prolonged UV exposure may increase the risk of skin cancer (such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or malignant melanoma). Consult a dermatologist as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:Unusual red, black, or brown lumps on the eyelidsSkin lesions that fail to heal or show changes in surface texturePersistent swelling or thickening of the skinLocal eyelash loss without apparent causeConclusionSimilar to the skin, the eyes can also suffer from "sunburn" due to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation, medically known as photokeratitis. In the short term, it mainly presents as discomfort and usually resolves on its own. However, long-term or repeated UV exposure significantly increases the risk of serious diseases such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and eyelid skin cancer.Therefore, consistently and correctly protecting the eyes from UV damage, whether during daily outdoor activities or in high-altitude, snowy, or UV-intensity environments, is an essential measure for maintaining long-term visual health.
