It is not just your skin we are worried about in regards to a light spectrum threat, there are a vast array of ocular concerns coming from indoor lighting as well as direct sunlight sources. The exposure your eyes are receiving from indoor lighting sources are tremendously hazardous to your immediate vision. Rooms are being flooded with an ever increasing color spectrum. Being in these condensed radiation environments without corrective lenses that properly block the entire spectrum should be an immediate concern.
The image you see to the right is an example of a cataract on the human eye, the principal cause for blindness in the world.http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataracts.htm
When these rays are absorbed by the cornea, they can cause corneal burns. People who have had UVB overexposure to the eyes will experience swelling of the eye tissues, redness, soreness, and a feeling as though a handful of sand has been thrown in their eyes. Because UVA has a longer wavelength, it penetrates the cornea and focuses on the retina, where it does considerable damage at high dosage levels. Extended exposure to both the visible light spectrum (400-700nm) and infrared spectrum (700-1400nm) carry significant vision risks as well.
Both long- and short-term exposure to UV, visible and infrared radiation can harm the eyes, affect vision, and compromise overall eye health. There are several eye diseases and conditions caused or aggravated by exposure to light spectrum radiation, such as:
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration (AMD) is caused by damage to the retina over time and is the leading cause of age-related blindness. Extended exposure to UV light increases your risk of developing macular degeneration .
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens -- the part of the eye that focuses the light we see. UV light, especially UV-B rays, increases your risk for certain types of cataracts. It is estimated that 10% of all cataract cases are directly attributable to UV exposure.
Pterygium
Often called “surfer’s eye,” pterygium is a pink, non-cancerous growth that forms on the layer of conjunctiva over the white of your eye. UV light from the sun is believed to be a factor in the development of these growths.
Photokeratitis
Also known as corneal sunburn or “snow blindness,” photokeratitis is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays. Long hours at the beach or skiing without proper eye protection can cause this problem. It can be very painful and may cause temporary vision loss.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can occur in soft tissue (eye and skin), specifically the area around the eye. Due to surface area exposure, the area around your eye can absorb more light radiation without natural defense mechanisms (i.e pain caused by looking at bright lights). These are areas a frequently exposed to higher levels of light radiation with much less protection.
