4. Check Your Watch and Whereabouts: It’s especially important to wear sunglasses and a hat between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when UV rays are at their peak or whenever you spend time outdoors in high altitudes or close to the equator where UV sunlight is more intense. Also, don’t forget eye cover when you’re out in the snow or on the water; the sun’s reflection off of these surfaces can magnify the damaging effects.

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5. Never Gaze Directly at the Sun: Staring at direct sunlight, even during a solar eclipse, exposes the eye to solar radiation. This can lead to loss of vision which may or may not be permanent.

6. Reverse Your Damage: Once chronic harm has been done, it’s usually irreversible. The Age-Related Eye Disease (AREDS) study, a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute, found that taking a potent antioxidant vitamin daily offers some protection for people at high risk of developing age-related macular degeneration but it’s not known whether it can prevent or reverse sun-related damage. Ask your ophthalmologist whether you’re a good candidate for ARED vitamin therapy. 

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