Solar radiation is responsible for a number of eye pathologies, which appear after years of exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) The eye damage from ultraviolet radiation (UV) is cumulative. Even small amounts of solar radiation, however, increase the likelihood of eye damage. Starting from the outer tunics of the eye, the aging of the delicate thin skin of the eyelids from UV comes faster than the rest of the skin. The outcome is early wrinkles around the eyes. Solar radiation can also cause tumors in the eyelids, such as epitheliomas and melanomas, which require early surgical removal.

The conjunctiva is relatively easily affected by ultraviolet radiation. This can cause conditions such as the pterygium, a degeneration of the conjunctiva in which a fibro-vascular membrane is created on the cornea, which increases towards its center. If it grows enough, it must be surgically removed. The conjunctival carcinoma, more rare, has also ultraviolet rays as a risk factor.

The cornea may also be affected by UV. The result is photokeratitis from sunlight, in which the patient has pain, intense photophobia, and difficulty to open his eyes. It is an acute condition that, with proper treatment by the specialist, goes into 24 hours, but it predisposes to complications later in life.

Long-term exposure to the sun has the effect of reducing the clarity of the crystalline lens of the eye, causing cataract. Thus, sunlight is a risk factor for the appearance of senile cataract.