Which statement best describes UV exposure and ocular risk?

Which statement best describes UV exposure and ocular risk?

• A. It has no health effects
• B. It can cause photokeratitis
• C. It always causes cataracts
• D. It never affects the eyes

Answer: (B)

UV exposure can affect the eyes; a notable acute risk is photokeratitis, which is essentially a sunburn of the cornea caused by UV-B (and UV-C) radiation. It can happen after bright sunlight, reflective environments (like snow or water), or exposure from welding arcs or tanning lamps. Symptoms typically appear within hours and include eye pain, tearing, a gritty or foreign-body sensation, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. With proper care and protection, it is usually temporary and the eyes recover. This statement is the best description because it acknowledges a real, specific ocular risk from UV exposure. The other options are inaccurate: UV exposure does have health effects on the eyes; it does not always cause cataracts—long-term exposure increases risk, but cataracts are not guaranteed in every case; and UV exposure can affect the eyes, so saying it never affects the eyes is false.

UV exposure can affect the eyes; a notable acute risk is photokeratitis, which is essentially a sunburn of the cornea caused by UV-B (and UV-C) radiation. It can happen after bright sunlight, reflective environments (like snow or water), or exposure from welding arcs or tanning lamps. Symptoms typically appear within hours and include eye pain, tearing, a gritty or foreign-body sensation, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. With proper care and protection, it is usually temporary and the eyes recover.

This statement is the best description because it acknowledges a real, specific ocular risk from UV exposure. The other options are inaccurate: UV exposure does have health effects on the eyes; it does not always cause cataracts—long-term exposure increases risk, but cataracts are not guaranteed in every case; and UV exposure can affect the eyes, so saying it never affects the eyes is false.