Article Credit: Canadian Association of Optometrists ( opto.ca ) Know the risks Similar to how UV radiation from the sun can be very damaging to the skin, it can be harmful to the eyes. UV damage to the eyes can result cumulatively over time or from a short period of exposure, oftentimes leading to long-term eye health conditions. These conditions include sunburn to the front of the eye (photokeratitis), 2 sunburn to the back of the eye (solar retinopathy), 3 cataracts, 4,5