Sun Protection Out At Sea

Indeed, a study of Olympic sailors revealing high levels of sunburn and UV radiation received during a regatta test event. To be exact, the level of exposure was seven times greater than the maximum permissible UV light exposure for an eight-hour working day.

Skin cancer is the most pressing concern often discussed, but this is also problematic for eye health. Keeping your eyes safe with your vision in good condition is a must when you’re out on the sea, so it’s worth figuring out what damages your eyes and how to protect them.

 The dangers of sun exposure for your eyes 

You may think the worst thing that can happen is that the sun’s rays hit you hard, and you can’t see very well for a bit. The reality is that eyes are ten times more sensitive to UV than skin. One in three people don’t even know that their eyes can also get burnt by UV, so awareness of its dangers is necessary.

From 11 AM to 3 PM, you are most prone to eye damage due to how intense UV penetration is during these hours. This is why the government releases a UV index every day. When warning levels are at VH (Very High), seeking shade, wearing sunscreen, and having a hat on is recommended.

Sun exposure is most worrisome because its impact on your eyes is not always immediately felt. While clear indicators include eye pain, floaters, and headaches, a lot of damage only presents itself later when you are already dealing with vision loss and other complications. When overexposed to the sun, you risk developing corneal tears, sunburn, cataracts, macular degeneration, and even uveal melanomas.

Tips to keep your eyes safe when sailing...

 1. Don’t be fooled by clouds 

When the skies are overcast, there’s a tendency to feel a false sense of security. The sun’s rays may not look as visible, but they still permeate the clouds and impact your eyesight. You are generally under the same sunburn risk because more than 90% of UV rays still pass through a cirrus cloud. For your eyes, you still need to take protective measures and avoid looking directly into the skies for too long.

A good thing to look out for during cloudy days is some itchiness and watery eyes, which means you are still likely getting irritation and dryness despite the sky's coverage. Artificial tears like Biotrue Hydration can help keep your eyes lubricated in these situations.

 2. Wear the right sunglasses 

Your best line of defence against the sun is to wear direct eye protection. Sunglasses with UV400 labels come with coated lenses that block out 100% of all UVA and UVB rays. You can even get prescription sunglasses for vision correction while sailing under the sun. In the long run, this is less cumbersome than contact lenses since you don’t have to worry about infection and dryness. You may also want to opt for a variant like the O’Neill Malika 2.0, as this comes with polarised lenses built to reduce glare.

Considering how much glare can reflect from the sea, it’s worth going beyond your regular tint and specifically seeking polarisation in your lenses. Regardless of what style you pick, though, one factor that should be non-negotiable is the UV protection your sunglasses can offer.

 3. Bring a hat with enough shade 

Aside from keeping your head cool, hats are handy in protecting your eyes at sea. Of course, you will need to use a hat with a brim that actually provides shade over your eyes. A solid sun hat is one of the essential items to pack when you’re going sailing. This is generally the best option because it is lightweight enough for extended wear and has a wide brim. If this style still feels too cumbersome, you can opt for a visor cap.

The Einskey unisex sun hat is a reliable go-to if you want something you can easily stuff into your bag when not in use. It also uses breathable, waterproof materials, so you don’t have to worry about sweat and sea waves messing it up while sailing.