UV rays can be dangerous for unprotected eyes

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Heat is not the sun's only danger, as harmful UVA and UVB rays are also a threat to eyesight.

Extended exposure to the sun can cause damage to corneas, the eye's surface.

Dr. David Lyon, an ophthalmologist at Sabates Eye Centers in Kansas City, Mo., said the exposure can cause scar tissue to develop that can cause blurred vision.

The sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays can also damage the retina and eventually lead to eye diseases like macular degeneration.

Wearing sunglasses in the bright light of the day is an easy way to help to provide UVA and UVB protection. More expensive, polarized sunglasses also protect eyes against glare. 

"Those would be especially important for people enjoying the outdoors at the lake," Lyon said.