Is light bad for my eyes?
When asking the question of if light is bad for your eyes, remember: you need light to be able to see.
Light is not an inherently bad thing for your eyes. Different cells in your eyes respond differently to allow you to not only see in different lighting conditions but to perceive color and texture as well.
Now, if you’re seeing light that isn’t there, you should visit your doctor immediately. For example, if you have flashes of light, light floaters or darkness where there haven’t been any of these things before, these may be signs of a retinal detachment or other medical concerns.
The Sun is a friend…
And a foe. Exposure to the sun in your skin helps your body to create vitamin D, an important vitamin for building strong bones and energy.
As with your skin and any other part of your body, too much of a good thing can be a very bad thing. Overexposure to sunlight can cause the development of things like cataracts. In worst-case scenarios, long exposure to the sun may even cause cancer.
In Arizona, we are both fortunately and unfortunately bombarded by the sun – especially in the summertime! So, how can the average person protect themself from the sun?
