9 Ways to Protect Your Eyes This UV Safety Month

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on July 8, 2025

A lifetime of exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun can have a significant impact on your vision. Cumulative exposure has been linked to some of the most common age-related eye conditions, including cataracts and macular degeneration.

To raise awareness about the importance of protecting your eyes from UV light, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated July as UV Safety Month. Keep reading to learn more about 9 ways to protect your eyes from UV light so you can enjoy clear, healthy vision for years to come.

How Can Sun Exposure Affect Eye Health?

While a little bit of sunlight can be beneficial for vitamin D levels and help regulate your sleep cycle, it’s essential to remember that excessive exposure can lead to various health problems, including cancers, cataracts, and pterygium. Luckily, following these simple tips can help you protect your vision and eye health this UV safety month:

1. Don’t Look Directly at the Sun

Looking directly at the sun allows UV light to flood the retina, burning eye tissue in the same way as a sunburn damages skin. It is never safe to look directly at the sun, even on a cloudy day or through glass.

2. Wear the Right Sunglasses

Before buying a pair of sunglasses, ensure that the lenses block 100% of both UVA and UVB light. For added sun protection, choose wraparound styles or sunglasses with large lenses.

3. Put on a Wide-Brimmed Hat

Wide-brimmed hats, especially those with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of 50+, can do an excellent job of protecting your eyes and covering the scalp, face, ears, and neck. The best hats to block UV light are made from tight-knit fabrics, such as cotton, straw, polyester, and nylon.

4. Check the UV Index Daily

The UV index is a measurement of the intensity of UV light from the sun at a specific time and location. Knowing the UV index in your area can help you plan what you’ll need to protect your eyes as you head out for the day.

5. Stay in the Shade

The peak hours for UV light from the sun are between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you must be outdoors during that time, try to find shade under trees, umbrellas, or covered porches or patios.

6. Choose Lenses with UV Protection

If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, opt for options that offer UV light protection. While most brands of contact lenses provide UV protection, special coatings can be applied to the lenses of eyeglasses to increase their ability to block UV rays.

7. Be Aware of Hidden Sources of UV Light

UV light reflected off water, sand, snow, and concrete can be as harmful as direct sunlight. When you are outdoors, check your surroundings for hidden sources of UV light and take steps to prevent unintended exposure.

8. Cover Windows with UV-Filtering Film

Adding a translucent UV-filtering film to your home, office, or car windows can help reduce your exposure to UV rays. This added layer of protection is especially beneficial for people who spend long hours indoors by a window or those who drive frequently during the daytime. 

9. Schedule Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

Regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist help ensure that the effects of cumulative UV light exposure don’t impair the clarity of your vision. They enable your eye doctor to monitor the health of your eyes and detect developing eye problems in their earliest stages when treatment is often most effective.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid exposure to UV light altogether, but there are ways to limit its impact on eye health. Simple steps such as wearing sunglasses and scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams can help protect your eyes from the dangers of UV light.

Do you remember when you had your last eye exam? If not, it’s time to schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!


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Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Salmon Creek, WA
2501 NE 134th St, Suite 105
Vancouver, WA 98686
(360) 208-9472 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
Temporarily Closed
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Salmon Creek, WA
2501 NE 134th St, Suite 105
Vancouver, WA 98686
(360) 208-9472 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
Temporarily Closed
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more