Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreatmentPreventionProtectionWhen to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Protection
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
A day of boating, snowboarding, or just working in the yard can lead to sunburned eyes if you are not careful. Sun damage to the eyes, known asphotokeratitis, happens when your eyes get sunburned from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Over time, repeated eye sunburns can lead to eye damage and disease. Wearing sunglasses can prevent eye sunburn, while a cool washcloth over the eyes can relieve the pain from sunburn of the eyes.
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Symptoms of Sunburned Eyes
If you have an eye sunburn, you will likely notice symptoms after spending a few hours in the sun without eye protection. Symptoms can include:
How Sunburned Eyes Are Treated
Usually, the symptoms of an eye sunburn go away on their own within a day or two. During that time, try not to itch or rub your eyes. If you’re concerned, however, you can reach out to your healthcare provider. Just as with a regular sunburn, there are ways to get sunburn relief at home, including:
In some cases, your eye healthcare provider might recommend using antibiotic eye drops, but always talk with your healthcare provider before putting anything in your eyes.
Eye Sunburn and ContactsIf you wear contacts and have an eye sunburn, take your contacts out immediately. Don’t put them in again until your eyes feel normal.
Eye Sunburn and Contacts
If you wear contacts and have an eye sunburn, take your contacts out immediately. Don’t put them in again until your eyes feel normal.
Prevention: When to Be Careful
You are most at risk for an eye sunburn when you’re around water or snow for a long period of time.Activities like skiing, surfing, or boating can increase your risk of an eye sunburn since UV light reflects off of water and snow, and directs harmful rays toward your eyes.
By Water
Light reflecting off water or snow can result in more UV rays hitting your eyes, leading to an eye sunburn. If you’re spending the day on the water, wear wraparound sunglasses.
In the Mountains
High elevations have a thinner atmosphere that offers less protection from UV light. If you are on snow-covered mountains, your risk is compounded as the sun reflects off the snow.
Artificial UV Light
It’s possible to be exposed to harmful UV rays indoors too. Any bright lights can hurt your eyes, including tanning beds, welding equipment, and lasers.
How to Protect Your Eyes
Choose sunglasses with a UV 400 rating or that’s labeled “100% UV protection.” These offer the most eye protection. The darkness of the lens does not necessarily indicate better UV protection. Light-colored lenses with the proper UV rating can protect your eyes equally well from UV rays. If possible, choose sunglasses that wrap around your face to protect your eyes from UV rays coming from the side.During the winter, wear snow goggles with UV protection. Polarized sunglasses can also help cut down on glare and protect your eyes from UV rays.
Remember that kids need sunglasses with UV protection too. Sunglasses aren’t just for the summer months but are a good safety measure year round—just like sunblock.
Talk to your healthcare provider if:
Summary
UV rays can damage the eyes in the same way they damage the skin. This can cause sunburned eyes, which are painful, red, or swollen. Usually an eye sunburn goes away in a day or two, but repeated eye sunburns can cause complications and long-term eye damage.
Sunglasses or goggles that offer a UV 400 rating or with a label saying “100% UV protection,” will block the most harmful rays and protect your eyes from the sun. It’s especially important to wear eye protection when you’re around snow or water, which can reflect harmful UV rays and amplify the damage caused.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is photokeratitis — including snow blindness?Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.American Optometric Association.Ultraviolet (UV) protection.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is photokeratitis — including snow blindness?Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.American Optometric Association.Ultraviolet (UV) protection.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is photokeratitis — including snow blindness?Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.American Optometric Association.Ultraviolet (UV) protection.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is photokeratitis — including snow blindness?
Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.
American Optometric Association.Ultraviolet (UV) protection.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?
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