Another form of sunburn you may not have heard of

Living in Japan as a fair-skinned, reddish-haired expat means I'm always conscious of sun exposure, but I read an article this week about something that many of us might overlook, and that's eye sunburn. It turns out that just like skin, our eyes can absorb UV rays, causing redness and inflammation. While it usually heals on its own, repeated exposure can contribute to long-term issues such as cataracts, age-related farsightedness, and conditions like pterygium (sometimes called surfer's eye).

Eye sunburn -- it's a real thing. Image created via Canva

According to Dr. Hiroshi Sasaki at Kanazawa Medical University, eye sunburn often goes unnoticed, and surveys in Japan show that most people aren't sure how to protect their eyes effectively. This makes it something to be particularly mindful of at this time of year, when UV levels are at their peak.

Like we'd do with our skin when we're out in the sun, it's worth taking extra precautions for our eyes, too. Checking the daily UV Index, wearing sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, or even using a parasol can help reduce the risk of damage. Protective contact lenses can also add another layer of defense if you're spending extended time outdoors.

Had you heard of eye sunburn before?

Info source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250818/p2a/00m/0op/006000c