Effects of Solar Radiation on the Eyes

It is known that exposure to solar radiation (SR) can cause various harmful effects on one's health, most of which are related to the ultraviolet (UV) component of SR. A considerably high number of people around the world who work outside are constantly exposed to SR for the majority of their working lives. The eye is the primary organ affected by short-term and long-term exposure to solar radiation. According to an ever-growing body of research, cataracts, pterygium, and macular degeneration are all possible side effects of prolonged exposure. Despite this, the danger of SR exposure is presently underestimated, if not completely overlooked, as a component of occupational risk for employees who do their duties outside. SR exposure is impacted by a wide range of individual and environmental factors; nevertheless, occupational exposure is among the most significant. The scarcity of affordable and accepted methods to measure SR worker exposure, particularly long-term exposure, is one of the key obstacles that must be overcome before a more excellent knowledge of this risk and the development of more effective preventive strategies can be accomplished. This review was conducted with the primary objectives of providing a comprehensive overview of the SR exposure risk of outdoor workers, including UV exposure extents and the chief approaches recently proposed for short-term and cumulative exposure, as well as providing an update on the information presented regarding the most common adverse eye effects. In conclusion, this article will be presenting preventative steps that may be taken to reduce occupational risk.