Is Sun Damage to the Eyes Reversible?

As for many things paracelisius famous quote can applied here as well. "Dosis facit venenum". It will always be the amount of sunlight you are getting, that will make the difference. Science has shown that extended exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light rays might lead to eye damage. If you spend enough time in front of UV light sources, including the sunshine, you may be at a higher risk for certain diseases such as cataracts, photokeratitis, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pterygiums, and more. 

Luckily, taking a break from UV ligh can help with symptoms of sun damage to your eyes most of the time. But is sun damage to the eyes reversible or just preventable? Here are the most important facts:

Is sun damage to the eyes reversible? 

Whether sun damage to your eyes is reversible depends on your symptoms and condition. The most common problem after too much sun exposure is a sunburned eye (also called photokeratitis). Your eyes can recover from it within a few days. Keep in mind that this condition can happen in any environment, from the beach (surfing, sailing, ...) to snowy mountains (skiing, snowboarding,...). Therefore protect your eyes and wear sunglasses when outside at all times of the year. Looking at the bright sun or a solar eclipse without the right eyewear might cause your eyes to get sunburned and undergo indefinite damage. So, while many types of photokeratitis are temporary, this form is severe and often affects your vision in the long term.  Other conditions occur after long-term damage from sunlight over many years. Symptoms of AMD after too much time outside without sunglasses may occur. This condition may not be reversible. Problems seeing things in your immediate field of view may be continuous. For this reason, it’s best to contact an eye doctor if you have signs of AMD, which may include problems seeing colors or visual distortion.  For cataracts there’s no existing remedy to improve eye damage. If the catarct is causing problems in every day life a surgical removal of the lense might be needed. Research has correlated antioxidants to decelerating cataract symptoms. Avoiding smoking and wearing UV-protective sunglasses may also help with cataracts. Pterygium is a condition occuring when tissues overtake much of your cornea, which can happen due to too much UV light exposure. It is also known as “surfer’s eye”. In rare cases Pterygiums can lead to your vision problems and cause dryness in the eyes. While pterygiums can come back over time, they rarely cause permanent vision issues.

How to Reverse Sun Damage in Your Eyes It may be impossible to reverse every type of sun damage, as those relating to eye diseases may be long term. However, if you possess any of the following symptoms of a sunburned cornea, we have a few tips for you. 

• Bloodshot eyes

• Increase in tears

• Eye agitation

• Blurry vision

• Headaches

Here’s what you can do if you experience symptoms of photokeratitis: 

• Give your eyes some time. A couple of days could be all the time your eyes need to heal from the damage caused by too much sun exposure. Try cold compresses on your eyelids to help with any discomfort, and always wear protective eyewear and a hat when you go outdoors.

• Consult an eye doctor. If you are unsure, an eye exam may be essential to detect the full extent of the eye damage caused by the sun. After your exam, your eye doctor can tell you exactly what can benefit your eyes. 

Contrary to many believes pterygiums can not be treated with eye drops. The only treatment is removal by surgery. However since it is not dangerous and doesn't cause complications in most patients, many times you don't need to treat it at all.

Summary: Can your eyes heal from sun damage?

Your eyes can recover from most damages caused by sun. Prevention should be your most important precaution. Wear proper eye protection whenever you know you will have a lot of sun exposure. The damages cause depend on your eye condition and symptoms. Developing increased eye tissues or if sunburned eyes are a condition that is mostly temporary. You may not even need to see an eye doctor. If you experience symptoms that might be caused from UV light exposure over a longer period, the eye damage and vision changes may be long term. We recommend contacting an optometrist for the best treatment for sun damage to your eyes.

Find a nearby eye doctor in Vienna, Austria here.

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