Avoid a Summer Bummer: UV Safety Eye/Eyelid Cancer

With summer just around the corner, there’s much to look forward to: outdoor activities, backyard grill-outs, and, of course, the sunshine. While the sun is a much-needed luxury this time of year, it’s easy to overlook that too much of a good thing can have some negative consequences—especially without the proper precautions in place.

Prolonged exposure to UV rays without eye protection can increase your risk of developing cancer in the eyes and eyelids. To help prevent this, it’s crucial to protect your eyes during the most radiant time of year. At Vance Thompson Vision, we’re devoted to helping preserve your vision so you can focus on what truly matters: living your best life.

Read along as we shed some light on eye and eyelid cancer–what it is, what causes it, and how you can prevent it from casting shade on your summer fun.

A Closer Look at Eye & Eyelid Cancer

Eye cancer forms when malignant tumors develop in various parts of the eye. The most common types of cancer in adults are uveal melanoma, which affects the middle layer of the eye, and intraocular lymphoma, a rare lymphoma that starts in the eyeball and often affects both eyes. The most common skin cancer of the eyelids is basal cell carcinoma, with the lower eyelid most frequent site of involvement.

Eye cancer can be difficult to detect as a few of the symptoms are shared with notable eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts.

Common Symptoms:

• Vision changes: Blurry vision, changes in vision, watery or irritated eyes, redness that doesn’t improve, changes in eyelashes, or signs of small elevations or depressions that suddenly appeared.
• Changes in the eye’s appearance: New elevations on the white part of the eye, a dark spot on the iris, or a bulging eye.
• Changes in the eyelid appearance: The loss of eyelashes, a notch in the eyelid, a sore that won’t go heal or bleeds, a prolonged infection, or grow lumps/bumps around the eyelids
• Additional symptoms: Pain in or around the eye, or eye irritation that gets worse

If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling a consultation with your local eye care provider immediately.

Tips to Protect Your Eyes and Eyelids from UV Rays

There are numerous easy ways to keep your eyes and eyelids protected from prolonged exposure to UV rays:

• Limit exposure: Wear sunglasses, a hat with a wide brim, or limit your time outdoors. Be mindful of how long you’ve been in the sun and try to find regular periods to keep your eyes shaded.
• Use sunscreen: Not only does this benefit your eyelids, but this will help protect your skin in general.
• Reflective surfaces: Sand, water, and even windshields can reflect UV rays directly into your eyes. Whether you’re at the beach or walking through a parking lot, be mindful of these hidden sources of sun exposure.
• Regular eye exams: Schedule routine eye exams with your eye care professional to monitor your overall eye health.

Rays Awareness

It’s important to have fun in the sun, but it’s just as important to protect yourself from overexposure to UV rays. If you know you’re going to be outdoors for a long period of time, be mindful of what you wear, and remember to shade yourself often. Make sure you schedule a regular eye exam to further monitor your eye health.

Vance Thompson Vision is committed to using the world’s most advanced technology combined with our team’s vast experience to help preserve your vision for years to come.

Want to know more about the effects of UV rays and eye protection? Contact us or your local primary care provider and schedule an appointment today.