Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can hurt your eyes as well as your skin. Strong sunlight can burn the corneas and conjunctivae of your eyes. Long-term exposure to UVradiation can contribute to eye disease, especially cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

The best way to protect your eyes from the sun is to wear sunglasses designed to screen ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunglasses do not have to be expensive to be effective. Look for glasses that block 90 percent to lOOpercent of both UVA and JJVB light. To be even more effective, sunglasses should fit close to your lace or have wraparound frames.

Some additional tips for protecting your eyes in the sun:

/.Wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap. This keeps out sunlight from directly overhead, which can slip past sunglasses.

/.Never look directly at the sun, even through sunglasses, because doing so can cause permanent damage to your eyes.

/.Wear sunglasses and a hat if you take medications that increase the sensitivity of your eyes to light, such as tetracycline or allopurinol.

Hf you have an eye disease such as macular degeneration, you are at increased risk of UV-related eye damage. Protect your eyes whenever you go outside, no matter how briefly.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com