April 26, 2023 — Prevent Blindness has declared May as Ultraviolet Awareness Month—right as people get ready to spend more time outdoors in the warmer weather.
 
While everyone is at risk for UV-related eye problems, the risk is higher for people who spend long hours in the sun, take medications that increase the eye’s sensitivity to light, have certain retina disorders, and have had cataract surgery. Conditions linked to UV exposure include pinguecula, pterygium, photokeratitis, cataracts, and cancers of the eyelid.
 
To assist eyecare professionals in discussing UV exposure and protection with their patients, Prevent Blindness offers free educational materials, including a dedicated web page, downloadable fact sheets, and shareable social media infographics.
 
Additionally, the nonprofit offers information about eye protection from the sun during solar eclipses, as the U.S. has eclipses occurring in October 2023 and April 2024. 
 
“Damage to our eyes from extended UV exposure can be extremely painful and, sometimes, permanent,” says Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Always make sure you and your family are wearing the proper eye protection in the sun, no matter what time of year, to help keep eyes healthy for years to come.”
 
For more information: preventblindness.org.