Protecting Your Eyes in Brisbane’s Sunshine: UV Damage, Cataracts, and Prevention

Living in Brisbane is glorious, isn’t it? The sunshine, the outdoor lifestyle, the ability to spend most of the year outside without freezing, it’s one of the reasons so many of us love calling Queensland home. But that beautiful sunshine comes with a price, and your eyes are paying it whether you realise it or not.

As an ophthalmologist practicing in Brisbane, Dr Nick Toalster sees the effects of UV exposure on eyes every single day. The good news? Most UV-related eye damage is preventable. You just need to know what you’re protecting against and actually do it.

The UV Reality in Queensland

Queensland has some of the highest UV levels in the world. We’re close to the equator, our ozone layer is thinner than in many other parts of the world, and we have intense sunshine for much of the year. That beautiful weather we brag about? It’s also bathing our eyes in ultraviolet radiation.

UV radiation is invisible, so you can’t see or feel it directly. But it’s there, every single day, even when it’s cloudy. In fact, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds, so that overcast day still poses risk.

The damage UV causes is cumulative. Think of it like a suntan for your eyes, except eyes don’t tan; they just accumulate damage over time. Every hour you spend outdoors without protection adds to your lifetime UV exposure, and eventually, that exposure catches up with you.

How UV Damages Your Eyes

UV radiation affects different parts of your eye in different ways. The front surfaces, your cornea and lens, absorb most UV radiation before it reaches your retina. This protective mechanism is brilliant, except it means those front structures take the brunt of the damage.

Your cornea can develop pterygium, that fleshy growth that’s mentioned in another article. It’s sometimes called “surfer’s eye” because it’s so common in people who spend lots of time outdoors, particularly in water sports, where UV reflects off the water surface. We see pterygium constantly in Brisbane patients. They’re not dangerous, but they can be irritating and cosmetically bothersome, and sometimes they grow large enough to affect vision.

UV also contributes to pinguecula, yellowish bumps on the white of your eye. Like pterygium, they’re related to chronic sun exposure and generally harmless but annoying.

Your lens is where UV damage gets more serious. Chronic UV exposure is a significant risk factor for developing cataracts. Now, cataracts are incredibly common as we age; if we all lived long enough, we’d all get them eventually. But UV exposure appears to accelerate their development. The Queensland cataract patient is often younger than patients in less sunny climates.

There’s also evidence linking UV exposure to macular degeneration, though the relationship is more complex and still being studied. The macula contains light-sensitive cells that can be damaged by excessive exposure to light over decades.

The Reflection Problem

Here’s something many people don’t realise: UV doesn’t just come from above. It reflects off surfaces all around you. Water reflects about 10-30% of UV radiation. Sand reflects about 15%. Concrete and white paint? They reflect UV too.

Living in Brisbane, we’re surrounded by reflective surfaces. The Brisbane River, our beaches, concrete pathways, modern buildings with reflective facades, they’re all bouncing UV radiation around. This means UV is hitting your eyes from multiple angles, not just from the sun directly overhead.

Boating is particularly risky because you’re getting UV from above and reflected off the water. Same with beach days; you’re getting double exposure. Even walking around the city, reflections from buildings and footpaths add to your exposure.

Children and UV Protection

UV damage starts in childhood. Kids spend more time outdoors than most adults, and their eyes are more vulnerable because their lenses are clearer and allow more UV to reach the retina.

Yet we see countless kids running around outside without any eye protection. Parents are diligent about sunscreen (usually), but they forget about their eyes. Those years of childhood sun exposure contribute significantly to lifetime cumulative UV damage.

If you have kids, please get them in the habit of wearing sunglasses. Yes, they’ll lose them. Yes, they might complain they’re annoying. But establishing sun protection habits early pays enormous dividends for their long-term eye health.

The same goes for hats. A broad-brimmed hat blocks a significant amount of UV from reaching your eyes. Combined with sunglasses, you’ve got excellent protection.

Not All Sunglasses Are Created Equal

Here’s where people often get it wrong: dark lenses don’t necessarily mean UV protection. You can buy cheap sunglasses that are deeply tinted but provide minimal UV protection. In fact, dark lenses without UV blocking can be worse than no sunglasses at all, because your pupils dilate in the dimness, allowing more UV in.

What matters is UV protection, not tint darkness. Look for sunglasses labelled as blocking 100% of UV or UV400. These block both UVA and UVB radiation. In Australia, look for the AS/NZS 1067 standard on the label.

Wraparound styles or larger frames that sit close to your face offer better protection by blocking UV coming from the sides. This is particularly important if you’re on the water or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Polarised lenses reduce glare, which is brilliant for comfort and visibility, especially when driving or on water. But polarisation and UV protection are different things; you need both.

Prescription Sunglasses and Transitions

If you wear prescription glasses, you need sun protection too. Regular clear prescription lenses block some UV, but not enough for Queensland’s intense sunshine.

Prescription sunglasses are a worthwhile investment. Yes, they cost more than regular prescription glasses, but they let you see clearly while properly protecting your eyes. Trying to wear clip-ons or fit sunglasses over your regular glasses is awkward and often doesn’t provide complete coverage.

Photochromic lenses (like Transitions) that darken in sunlight are another option. They’re convenient because you don’t have to switch between regular glasses and sunglasses constantly. However, they don’t darken as much in cars (because windscreens block the UV that triggers their darkening), and some people find they don’t get dark enough in very bright conditions.

For serious sun exposure, days at the beach, boating, and outdoor sports, dedicated prescription sunglasses with proper UV protection are your best bet.

Contact Lens Wearers

Many modern contact lenses include UV-blocking properties. This is helpful, but it’s not enough on its own. Contact lenses only cover your cornea and the front of your eye. The whites of your eyes, your eyelids, and the delicate skin around your eyes still need protection.

If you wear contacts, you still need sunglasses when outdoors. Think of the UV-blocking contact lenses as an added layer of protection, not a replacement for proper eyewear.

The Car Factor

We spend a lot of time in our cars here in Brisbane, often in bright sunshine. Car windscreens block most UVB radiation but allow a fair bit of UVA through. Side windows usually offer even less protection.

If you’re doing a lot of driving, especially with the sun streaming through your windows, you’re getting UV exposure. Sunglasses help, and you can also consider UV-filtering window film for your car (check the legality for different windows; there are regulations about how dark they can be).

We’ve noticed that patients who drive a lot often develop more sun damage on one side; typically, the right side in Australia, where the driver’s side window faces the sun for much of the day.

Hats: The Forgotten Protection

A good hat makes an enormous difference to UV exposure. A broad-brimmed hat (at least 7-10cm brim all around) can block up to 50% of UV radiation from reaching your eyes. That’s significant protection for something so simple.

Baseball caps are better than nothing, but they don’t protect your peripheral vision or the sides of your face. Broad-brimmed hats, bucket hats, or legionnaire-style hats provide much better coverage.

The cultural shift toward sun safety means that wearing hats is now more socially acceptable than it was a generation ago. Embrace it. A good hat is practical, protective, and frankly, essential for Queensland summers.

When UV Protection Matters Most

UV levels are highest between 10 am and 2 pm. This is when the sun is most directly overhead, and UV radiation is most intense. If you can, minimise outdoor exposure during these peak hours, or at least be extra diligent about protection.

Summer obviously brings higher UV levels than winter, but don’t be complacent in cooler months. UV levels in Brisbane remain significant year-round. You still need protection in June and July.

High altitude increases UV exposure too. If you’re heading to the mountains or tablelands, UV levels are higher than at sea level. Cloud cover, as mentioned earlier, doesn’t block UV as much as you’d think.

Water activities deserve special mention. The combination of direct UV and reflected light from water creates very high exposure levels. Boating, fishing, swimming, and surfing all require excellent eye protection. Wraparound sunglasses that stay on securely are worth investing in.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

Some patients tell me they’ve never bothered with sun protection for their eyes, so what’s the point of starting now? But UV damage is cumulative and ongoing. Every day you protect your eyes from this point forward is a day you’re not adding to that burden of damage.

Yes, you can’t undo previous sun damage. But you can prevent further damage and reduce your risk of developing UV-related problems down the track. It’s absolutely worth starting protective habits at any age.

If you’ve already developed pterygium or early cataracts, sun protection becomes even more important to prevent progression.

Beyond UV: Blue Light and Other Concerns

You might have heard about blue light from screens damaging eyes. The evidence here is less clear than for UV. Digital screens emit blue light, but at levels far lower than natural sunlight. There’s no convincing evidence that screen time causes permanent eye damage.

That said, blue light can affect sleep patterns if you use screens late at night, and prolonged screen use can cause eye strain and discomfort. But this is different from UV damage, which is cumulative and permanent.

Some people find blue-light-filtering lenses helpful for comfort during screen use. They’re not essential for eye health in the way UV protection is, but if they make your eyes feel better, that’s valid.

The Sunscreen Reminder

While we’re talking about sun protection, don’t forget sunscreen for the skin around your eyes. Eyelid skin is thin and delicate, and eyelid skin cancers are surprisingly common. We regularly see patients with basal cell carcinomas or other skin cancers on their eyelids.

Use sunscreen around your eyes (carefully, you don’t want it to get in your eyes). Wear sunglasses that cover your skin around the eyes. See your GP about any unusual lumps, bumps, or spots on your eyelids.

Making It a Habit

The best sun protection is the protection you actually use. It doesn’t matter how excellent your sunglasses are if they’re sitting in your car while you’re out walking.

Make sun protection automatic. Keep sunglasses in your car, your bag, by the door. Have multiple pairs if needed, one for the car, one for work, one at home. If cost is an issue, a cheap pair you actually wear is better than an expensive one you leave behind.

Get into the habit of checking UV levels. Most weather apps show daily UV index. When it’s high (which it often is in Brisbane), be particularly careful about protection.

Teach your kids young. Model good behaviour; kids do what they see, not what they’re told. If they see you always wearing sunnies and a hat outdoors, they’ll copy that.

Regular Eye Checks Catch UV Damage Early

Even with perfect sun protection, regular eye examinations remain important. We can spot early signs of UV damage, such as pterygium development, early cataract changes, or other concerns. Early detection means we can monitor closely and intervene if needed.

If you’ve had significant sun exposure over your life (and in Brisbane, that’s most people), let your ophthalmologist know. It helps us understand your risk profile and what to watch for.

The Bottom Line

Queensland’s sunshine is wonderful, but it’s also powerful. UV radiation is damaging your eyes every day you spend outside without protection. That damage accumulates over years and decades, eventually causing problems that could have been prevented.

Protecting your eyes from UV isn’t complicated or expensive. Good sunglasses, a decent hat, and a bit of awareness about when UV is highest, that’s really all it takes. The payoff is potentially decades of better eye health and reduced risk of cataracts and other UV-related problems.

At Visionare Eye Specialists, we regularly see the consequences of inadequate sun protection. We also see patients who’ve been diligent about protection and have remarkably healthy eyes for their age. The difference is striking.

Don’t let Queensland’s gorgeous weather damage your precious eyesight. Enjoy our beautiful sunshine, just protect your eyes while you’re doing it. Your future self will thank you for it.

And if you’re noticing any changes in your vision, or if it’s been a while since your last eye examination, come and see us. Let’s make sure your eyes are healthy and staying that way, for all the sunny years ahead.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific condition. Information current as of October 2025.