The German Association of Pediatricians emphasized the importance of protecting children's eyes from the dangers of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays during the summer. The association explained that children's eyes have larger pupils and clearer lenses, resulting in approximately 70% more UV rays reaching the retina.
If children are exposed to intense sunlight for extended periods, it can lead to long-term damage, such as cataracts in adulthood, tumors in the white part of the eye, or age-related retinal degeneration (death of retinal cells).
Intense sunlight reflected by sand, snow, water, or asphalt can directly damage the cornea. This can lead to what is known as temporary blindness, which occurs 2 to 4 hours later as an inflammatory response, causing severe pain often associated with extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia).
#### Tips for Protecting Children's Eyes
Looking directly at sunlight, similar to focusing on a concentrated laser light, can cause irreparable burns to the eye since the lens acts like a magnifying glass, intensifying the sun's rays.
To avoid these risks, children's eyes should be protected with sunglasses that have a high UV filter rated at UV-400. It is also important for the sunglasses to have wide arms to shield the eyes from sunlight coming in from the sides.
