What are the ophthalmic diseases caused by strong UV rays in summer?
Jul 08, 2024
As the scorching heat hits earlier than usual, concerns about eye diseases that can be caused by exposure to strong sunlight are increasing. Strong UV rays not only promote aging of the eyes, but prolonged exposure can also cause damage to the cornea and the retina located inside the eye. In severe cases, it may directly or indirectly affect severe eye diseases such as macular degeneration or cataracts and vision loss, so caution is needed.
One of the most representative eye diseases caused by strong UV exposure is 'Keratitis', also called UV keratitis or corneal burns. Photokeratitis is an acute eye disease in which corneal epithelial cells are inflamed with temporary burn symptoms, just as the skin burns. There are no self-awareness symptoms at the moment the cornea is burned, but after about half a day, symptoms such as itchy eyes, pain, foreign body sensation, dazzling, and blurred vision appear, and in severe cases, symptoms of congestion along with tears may appear. If left unattended, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist immediately if symptoms are detected because secondary bacterial infections progress through damaged corneas and can lead to blindness. Cold compresses or eye drops as first aid before visiting an ophthalmologist can be helpful.
Another eye disease that can occur due to ultraviolet rays is 'Caucoma'. Cataracts are a disease in which the lens becomes cloudy and the visual field becomes blurred, and in severe cases, vision can gradually decrease and lead to blindness. In general, senile cataracts due to aging are the most common, but ultraviolet rays are the representative external factors that cause cataracts.
Cataracts can progress if the lens protein is denatured as ultraviolet rays create active oxygen in the eyes, resulting in a breakdown of the oxidation balance. If you are already suffering from cataracts, you should pay more attention because ultraviolet rays can accelerate the aging of the lens and worsen cataracts. If you develop cataracts, you should try medication that slows down your progress or undergo surgery according to the progress.
The 'arm wing', also known as the 'epidermal wing', is a disease in which fibrous vascular tissue proliferates from the whites of the pupils toward the cornea, causing the black pupils to turn white in a triangular shape. Usually, the higher the age, the higher the prevalence and more occur in men than in women. Although the exact cause has not been identified, it is presumed that strong ultraviolet rays are the main cause of the outbreak, as it occurs a lot in people who frequently engage in outdoor activities. If there are no symptoms in the early stages and the size increases, symptoms of foreign body sensation, pain, congestion, and cold eyes may appear. If the size is too large, surgery is necessary, and the operation itself is not difficult, but younger people have stronger cell regeneration than older people, so if you have surgery before the age of 60, the recurrence rate is high. Therefore, the timing of surgery should be carefully determined according to the degree of corneal involvement, but if the military wing invades the center of the cornea, affects vision, or if it grows thick and interferes with eye movement, surgery should be performed regardless of age.
Hwang Kyu-yeon, a specialist at the Corneal Center at Kim Ophthalmology Hospital, advised, `It is better to avoid looking directly because strong light like sunlight can damage the macular cells.' `It is better to avoid going out as much as possible during the day when UV rays are strong, and to wear brimmed hats or glasses or sunglasses with UV protection when going out.'
One of the most representative eye diseases caused by strong UV exposure is 'Keratitis', also called UV keratitis or corneal burns. Photokeratitis is an acute eye disease in which corneal epithelial cells are inflamed with temporary burn symptoms, just as the skin burns. There are no self-awareness symptoms at the moment the cornea is burned, but after about half a day, symptoms such as itchy eyes, pain, foreign body sensation, dazzling, and blurred vision appear, and in severe cases, symptoms of congestion along with tears may appear. If left unattended, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist immediately if symptoms are detected because secondary bacterial infections progress through damaged corneas and can lead to blindness. Cold compresses or eye drops as first aid before visiting an ophthalmologist can be helpful.
Another eye disease that can occur due to ultraviolet rays is 'Caucoma'. Cataracts are a disease in which the lens becomes cloudy and the visual field becomes blurred, and in severe cases, vision can gradually decrease and lead to blindness. In general, senile cataracts due to aging are the most common, but ultraviolet rays are the representative external factors that cause cataracts.
Cataracts can progress if the lens protein is denatured as ultraviolet rays create active oxygen in the eyes, resulting in a breakdown of the oxidation balance. If you are already suffering from cataracts, you should pay more attention because ultraviolet rays can accelerate the aging of the lens and worsen cataracts. If you develop cataracts, you should try medication that slows down your progress or undergo surgery according to the progress.
The 'arm wing', also known as the 'epidermal wing', is a disease in which fibrous vascular tissue proliferates from the whites of the pupils toward the cornea, causing the black pupils to turn white in a triangular shape. Usually, the higher the age, the higher the prevalence and more occur in men than in women. Although the exact cause has not been identified, it is presumed that strong ultraviolet rays are the main cause of the outbreak, as it occurs a lot in people who frequently engage in outdoor activities. If there are no symptoms in the early stages and the size increases, symptoms of foreign body sensation, pain, congestion, and cold eyes may appear. If the size is too large, surgery is necessary, and the operation itself is not difficult, but younger people have stronger cell regeneration than older people, so if you have surgery before the age of 60, the recurrence rate is high. Therefore, the timing of surgery should be carefully determined according to the degree of corneal involvement, but if the military wing invades the center of the cornea, affects vision, or if it grows thick and interferes with eye movement, surgery should be performed regardless of age.
Hwang Kyu-yeon, a specialist at the Corneal Center at Kim Ophthalmology Hospital, advised, `It is better to avoid looking directly because strong light like sunlight can damage the macular cells.' `It is better to avoid going out as much as possible during the day when UV rays are strong, and to wear brimmed hats or glasses or sunglasses with UV protection when going out.'
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