Spending too much time in the sun damages the skin. Exposure to the UVA and UVB rays is a leading factor in skin cancer, sun spots, and other types of skin damage. A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps prevent damage, but one area people don’t consider is their eyes. Can your eyes get a sunburn? They can, so your parents need to protect themselves.
Sunburn of the Eyes Is Possible
The different areas of the eye can get sunburned. If this happens, it’s called photokeratitis. It can happen in the summer or winter if you’re not protecting the eyes from UV rays. The clear outer layer of the eye is your cornea. That’s one of the areas that sun rays can burn. It can also burn the conjunctiva that protects your eye whites, the retina, and the lens.
Symptoms of a sunburned eye include redness, eye pain, and blurred vision. You may feel like there is sand in the eye. Your eyes may be extremely sensitive to light, and you may develop a headache. People who have gotten a sunburn of the eye often see halos around things they’re viewing.
Sunburned eyes will water a lot and may swell up. If any of these symptoms are present, it’s important to see a doctor to see if it is a sunburn and if there’s any permanent damage.
If the doctor says you’re okay, follow his/her advice. You’ll probably be told to use a damp, cold washcloth to ease irritation and swelling. You’ll be told to avoid wearing contacts for a while. You shouldn’t wear makeup or rub your eyes. Lubricating eye drops can help ease the scratchy feeling.
How Do You Prevent It?
There are ways to keep from getting sunburned eyes. Make sure your mom and dad have sunglasses that cover the entire eye area and protect against both UVA and UVB rays. If you can’t tell if their sunglasses offer broad-spectrum protection, go out and buy a pair that does. You want protection against both types of rays.
A facial sunscreen on the upper and lower eyelids helps protect the skin, but sunglasses protect the cornea. Your parents should rely on sunglasses when they’re outside. It may not be overly sunny, but some of the UV rays still get through the clouds.
Limit your parents’ time in the sun. You may not be able to watch them every minute of the day, but caregivers can. Hire caregivers to help your parents with household chores and to remind them when they’ve been in the sun for too much time.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in San Francisco CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
