Wearing the right sunglasses outside is an easy step to protect your eyes
Can UV rays cause cataracts?
Cataracts, a cloudiness of the eye’s natural lens, are common in older adults and exposure to UV rays can make them worse. This can lead to vision problems and surgery to remove them.
What causes cataracts?
Several factors can cause cataracts to develop. Some of the most common are:
- Family history
- Having other diseases like diabetes or cancer
- Eye surgeries
- Certain medications
- Lifestyle habits
- UV rays from the sun, especially exposure to the sun without wearing eye protection
How much sun exposure is too much?
Does getting too much UV exposure from the sun cause cataracts to develop? The short answer is yes, sunlight and UV rays can cause cataracts.
Constant exposure to UV rays, especially without wearing proper eye protection, may increase your risk of developing cataracts. This is because the sun and UV rays can cause extra stress on the eye, which in turn causes the eye to become less effective at transmitting light and keeping vision sharp.
UV light rays are invisible to the human eye, so assume that if you go outside, your eyes are likely exposed to some amount of UV light. UV light rays come in two forms — UVA and UVB. UVA-type rays are more powerful and may cause more damage to the eye than UVB. Always protect your eyes from the sun.
Are UV rays more dangerous for older adults?
Older adults are more vulnerable to UV ray damage because older eyes are less able to filter out UV rays.
To prevent damage to your eyes and skin:
Stay inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the time of the day when UV rays are strongest.
Wear sun-protective clothing.
Use sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 50 and reapply often.
Avoid being in the sun for long periods of time.
Can cataracts be treated?
The only way to treat cataracts is to remove them via eye surgery. During this process, a health care professional will remove the affected eye lens and replace it with a different lens. This new lens is artificial and will permanently stay in the eye, helping to improve vision.
The good news is that while surgery is never the first option or something to jump into too quickly, it is a widely used procedure considered both safe and effective for treating cataracts. As with any surgery, there are risks of possible issues occurring in the eye; however, these issues are not common. Recovery from cataract surgery takes several weeks, but improvements in vision usually occur quickly after surgery.
Prevent cataract development
To protect your eyes from UV rays and lower the risk of developing cataracts, there are several things you can do:
- Limit the time you spend outdoors, especially when UV rays are highest. Cloud cover doesn’t filter out UV rays; they pass through clouds. Download an app or check online to see if UV rays are high in your area at a specific time of day. Typically, UV rays are highest from midday to early afternoon.
- Wear eye protection with a high UV rating. Sunglasses should provide 100% UV protection to block both types of UV rays. It is also important to never look directly into the sun.
- Wear a hat with a brim.
In general, you can also reduce the chances of developing cataracts through lifestyle changes such as not smoking, and seeing your health care provider regularly.
Take control of your eye health
If you want to ensure you are protecting your eyes, or if you want to manage and/or treat cataracts, it is essential to consult a qualified health care provider. WellMed has a network of great doctors you can find today using our online portal. Take the first steps today toward better eye health for a sharper future.
References
- Cataract, N. R. S. L. O. H. U. R. M. C. T. (2021, June 3). New research sheds light on how UV rays may contribute to cataract. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/new-research-sheds-light-how-uv-rays-may-contribute-cataract
- Cataracts (Age-Related). (2025, April 22). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8589-cataracts-age-related
- Many Older Adults Don’t Protect Their Skin from the Sun. (2023, October 18). Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/research/many-older-adults-dont-protect-their-skin-from-the-sun.html
- National Eye Institute. (n.d.). Causes of cataracts | National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts/causes-cataracts
- The sun, UV light and your eyes. (2024, May 29). American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun
