Sunlight and Eye Health

We all love a sunny window, with lots of natural light pouring through the glass. However, with all that abundant sunshine comes some of the harmful spectrums of the sun, such as Ultra-Violet A (UVA) rays that have been shown to damage the skin and also the eyes.

When you sit near a window while driving or in your home or office, you are exposed to UVA rays, even on a cloudy day.

UVA light, also known as long-wave light, accounts for about 95 percent of the UV light that reaches our skin. UVA rays are more of a threat to our skin and eyes because a much larger percentage of them reach earth’s surface.

While natural sunlight is crucial to our health, both physical and mental, it also may lead to health problems. One such health problem that impacts the eyes, often the result of sun exposure over a long period of times, is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Studies show a link between UVA exposure and AMD. One result of AMD is cloudy or blurred vision, as seen in the photo presented here.

Most windows block the sun’s UV-B rays. These can lead to sunburn and also damage the skin and lead to various skin cancers. However, common glass windows do not protect people from UV-A rays. Even glass that has been darkly colored, such as in an SUV, allows a significant amount of UV-A rays to enter.

A good way to reduce exposure to UV-A rays and still enjoy abundant natural light is to have window film professionally installed on your home, office and vehicle windows so both your eyes and skin are protected.

Window films block 99 percent of all the the sun’s harmful UV rays. They also have many other benefits such as energy savings, slowing the pace of fading, and glare reduction. Another tip is to have your eyes checked annually to help identify any signs of AMD. While there is no cure for AMD, its progression may be slowed. Talk to your doctor to learn more, and to learn more about window film, visit our ‘Find Window Film’ page and speak with a local window film professional.