Everyone is at risk from eye problems caused by the sun and UV radiation in particular. Even children face damaging their eyesight, in fact they are at more risk than most as a child's eyes have less ability to protect against UV radiation than an adults. Those most at risk at people who spend a lot of time in the sun, people who have had cataract surgery or have cataract or retina disorders and people who are taking certain drugs, such as tetracycline, birth control pills and tranquilizers that increase the sensitivity of the eyes to light.

Evidence is increasingly available linking exposure to UV rays to eye damage. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can cause cataracts, macular degeneration or even skin cancer around the eyelids. It is therefore recommended that you wear a pair of good quality sunglasses when outdoors so to protect your eyes from these harmful rays.

There are three types of UV (ultraviolet) radiation, UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC is not a problem as they are absorbed by the atmosphere and never reach the Earths surface. UVA rays are absorbed by the lens in the human eye. Although there have been no documented accounts of ill effects from UVA rays, this area is still much debated and a lot of research is still ongoing into whether any harm can be caused by UVA rays.

UVB rays however can be very dangerous. UVB rays are the ones that burn the skin and damage the eyes, it is UVB that causes snow blindness - a temporary but very painful affliction that can last up to two days. Daily exposure to UVB is also thought to be a primary cause of cataracts, which causes a clouding of the lens and significantly hampers vision. Many experts also suspect that UVB rays are responsible for eye growths such as pingueculae or pterygia.

Wearing good quality sunglasses can filter out most if not all UV radiation and therefore reduce risks of eye damage and other potential eye problems.