You might love bathing in the sun, surfing the waves, or hitting the slopes, but the ball of fire overhead could be barbecuing your eyes without your knowing. Two words - photokeratitis or, for us laymen, sunburned eyes, is an issue many people aren't even aware they should worry about. The culprit? The ever-so-harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Symptoms for this 'solar silent threat' could range from itchy, red eyes to the feeling of having sand in your eyes. Most often, these symptoms would disappear in a day or two. Still, every second you spend scratching your eyes or crying out salty tears, you're potentially feeding long-term eye damage and diseases.

Did you know even indoor sources like tanning beds, welding equipment, lasers, or any bright light can be possible UV agents? The good news - you don’t need to live in perpetual darkness. A simple pair of sunglasses can be your best friend in the war against photokeratitis. But not just any are enough. Only those with a ‘UV 400’ rating or '100% UV protection' make the cut. Dark glasses are not always the best; sometimes, light-colored lenses with an appropriate UV rating offer equal protection. A hat with a wide brim also makes a great co-defender.

If you're heading for some action around snow or water, beware! These two elements become accomplices of UV light, reflecting these harmful rays directly towards your eyes. Choose protective gear such as wrap-around sunglasses or snow goggles with UV protection.

Remember, it’s not only the summertime that requires sunglasses. Essentially, you need to treat them like sunblock-a round-the-year essential. And hey, don’t forget the kiddos; they need their shields too.

Caught up with an eye sunburn? Firstly, soldier, retreat and remove your contact lenses if you're wearing them. A cool washcloth over the eyes can bring instant relief. For extreme conditions, you may have to turn to antibiotic eye drops upon consultation with your healthcare provider.

The bottom line is - love the sun, but guard yourself against its darker side. UV rays can wreak havoc on both your skin and eyes if you let them, so keep your sunglasses handy and shield up!