Ophthalmoheliosis – do children need sunglasses?

Abstract:

Excess exposure to UV radiation has a major role in skin and eye damages. The damages of eyes and ocular adnexa caused by the UV radiation are called ophthalmoheliosis, introduced as common name for the diseases caused by a sunlight. Public education should focus on avoiding unnecessary exposure to the UV radiation and using adequate eye protection. Children's eyes are particularly sensitive to light because of wider pupils. Therefor the light rays penetrate to a greater extent, along with a harmful UV radiation, damaging retina. Furthermore, the retinal tissue in children is less pigmented and therefore more susceptible to the damage due to the UV rays. The damage due to the UV radiation is cumulative, and since the children's lens does not filter ultraviolet rays before the age of 10 or 12 years, 75% of the harmful rays reach the retina before the onset of puberty. On average, children spend twice or even three times more outside than the adults. Bearing the mentioned facts in mind, more attention needs to be paid to education of the population on protecting the eyes together with the skin.

Key words:
cumulative effect; increased exposure to UV radiation; sun; sunglasses