Sun Damage and Your Eyes: Why UV Protection Matters in New Zealand

Your eyes can get sunburnt too — and in New Zealand, UV exposure is something worth taking seriously.

When we think about sun damage, we usually think about sunburn, premature skin ageing and skin cancer. But ultraviolet (UV) radiation can also affect our eyes and the delicate skin around them.

New Zealand receives high levels of UV radiation, particularly during spring and summer. UV can also be surprisingly strong when the weather is cool or cloudy, because UV radiation is not the same thing as the heat we feel from the sun. SunSmart recommends protecting your skin and eyes when the UV Index is 3 or higher.

For anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors — whether you're at the beach, on the water, working outside, hiking, playing sport or skiing — protecting your eyes should be part of your everyday sun protection routine.

Why is UV radiation hard on your eyes?

Your eyes are particularly sensitive to UV radiation. Short periods of intense exposure can cause inflammation of the eye, including photokeratitis, sometimes called "snow blindness". It is essentially a UV injury to the cornea and can feel similar to having a severe irritation or sunburn on the surface of the eye. Symptoms can include irritation, pain and the feeling that something is stuck in your eye.

The bigger concern is repeated exposure over many years.

Long-term exposure to excessive UV radiation is associated with an increased risk of conditions including:

Cataracts — clouding of the eye's lens

Pterygium — a fleshy growth that can develop across the surface of the eye

Pinguecula — a raised or yellowish area on the white of the eye

Damage to the cornea and conjunctiva

Skin cancers around the eyes

UV exposure is cumulative, meaning the exposure we receive throughout our lives matters.

What are those "sunspots" people sometimes notice on their eyes?

You've probably seen someone with a small yellow, brown or otherwise noticeable mark on the white part of their eye and wondered what it is. Alost mentioned in the about us page of FRMZ

There are several different types of spots and growths that can occur on or around the eye, so they shouldn't automatically be called "sunspots".

One common UV-associated change is a pinguecula. This is a raised area that usually appears on the white part of the eye, often near the side closest to the nose. Long-term exposure to UV, wind and environmental irritation can contribute to these changes.

Another is a pterygium, sometimes called "surfer's eye". This is a fleshy growth that develops on the conjunctiva — the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye — and can gradually extend towards the cornea. It is particularly common in people who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Not every spot on the eye is caused by UV exposure, however. Pigmented marks can have other causes, which is why a new, changing, raised, irritated or unusual spot should be checked by an optometrist or doctor rather than assuming it is simply sun damage.

Why New Zealand deserves extra attention

New Zealand's UV environment makes eye protection particularly important.

UV levels can become very high during the warmer months, and SunSmart recommends protection from September through April, particularly between approximately 10am and 4pm. Protection is also important year-round when you're in the mountains, on the water or around highly reflective surfaces such as snow and ice.

And here's something many people don't realise:

You don't need to feel hot to be receiving significant UV exposure.

UV radiation can still be damaging on a cool or cloudy day. That's why temperature isn't a reliable guide for deciding whether your eyes need protection.

Snow, water and sand can make things worse

Reflective surfaces can significantly increase the amount of UV reaching your eyes.

Snow and ice are particularly important. Healthily reports that snow can reflect approximately 50–88% of UV radiation, while sea surf can reflect around 25–30% and sand around 15%.

This is one reason sunglasses and appropriate eye protection are particularly important when skiing, snowboarding, boating, fishing or spending long periods around the beach.

Can sunglasses really help?

Yes — good-quality sunglasses are an important part of protecting your eyes from UV radiation.

SunSmart recommends close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses and notes that sunglasses should conform to the relevant New Zealand/Australian sunglasses standard. Sunglasses can also help reduce the amount of UV reaching the delicate skin around the eyes.

A wide-brimmed hat provides another layer of protection, and combining sunglasses with a hat and shade provides better overall protection than relying on sunglasses alone.

What about polarised lenses?

Polarisation and UV protection are two different things.

Polarised lenses are primarily designed to reduce glare. They can make bright environments more comfortable and improve visual comfort around reflective surfaces such as water and roads.

However, polarisation itself does not determine whether a pair of sunglasses provides UV protection. Always check the sunglasses' UV protection rating rather than assuming that a dark or polarised lens automatically blocks UV.

Darker sunglasses aren't necessarily safer

This is another important point.

A lens being dark, mirrored, colourful or highly reflective doesn't automatically tell you how much UV protection it provides.

When choosing sunglasses, look for the appropriate UV protection information and make sure the sunglasses meet the applicable standard.

For everyday outdoor use, the goal isn't simply to find the darkest pair of sunglasses you can find. It's to find sunglasses that provide appropriate UV protection while also giving you comfortable vision.

Your eyes deserve the same attention as your skin

Most of us have become pretty good at remembering sunscreen when we're heading to the beach.

But it's easy to forget that our eyes are exposed to the same environment.

If you're outside regularly, especially during periods of high UV, a simple routine can make a big difference:

Slip on protective clothing.
Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Slap on a suitable hat.
Wrap your eyes with appropriate UV-protective sunglasses.

And remember that sunglasses aren't just for summer holidays.

If you're skiing, boating, working outdoors or spending extended periods outside, your eyes can be exposed to significant UV even when the temperature doesn't feel particularly warm.

Look after your eyes for the long term

You can't see UV radiation and you can't necessarily feel the damage happening while you're exposed to it.

That's why prevention is important.

A good pair of sunglasses won't replace shade, a hat or other sun protection measures — but they are an important part of the overall picture.

So next time you step outside on a bright New Zealand day, don't just think about protecting your skin.

Protect your eyes too.

A note about eye spots

If you've noticed a new spot, mark or growth on your eye, don't assume that it is simply a "sunspot". Some changes are harmless, while others may require assessment.

If a spot is new, changing, growing, painful, irritated, affecting your vision or simply concerning you, arrange an assessment with an optometrist or doctor.

This article is intended for general information only and is not medical advice.

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FRMZ Eyewear

Built for life outdoors. Protect your eyes, enjoy the light and make the most of every adventure.

If you have questions about eye protection, UV exposure or choosing suitable eyewear, you can Contact FRMZ Eyewear – Get in Touch With Our Team for more information.