Which form of radiant energy is more harmful to the eye?

Which form of radiant energy is more harmful to the eye?

• A. Infrared Radiation
• B. Ultraviolet Radiation
• C. Visible light
• D. Microwave

Answer: (A)

The danger to the eye from radiant energy depends on how much energy each photon carries and how eye tissues absorb that energy. Ultraviolet radiation has the highest photon energy among the options, and the eye’s front structures—the cornea and the lens—absorb much of UV. When UV energy is absorbed, it can cause photochemical damage, leading to acute injuries like photokeratitis (a sunburn of the cornea) and, with long-term exposure, cataracts and other vision problems. This chemical-type damage from UV is a more consistent and long-lasting hazard to eye tissues than the heating effects associated with infrared, the limited penetration of visible light (which mainly causes glare or temporary photochemical effects at very high intensities), or the generally low-penetration, non-ionizing nature of microwaves. So, ultraviolet radiation is the form most harmful to the eye.

The danger to the eye from radiant energy depends on how much energy each photon carries and how eye tissues absorb that energy. Ultraviolet radiation has the highest photon energy among the options, and the eye’s front structures—the cornea and the lens—absorb much of UV. When UV energy is absorbed, it can cause photochemical damage, leading to acute injuries like photokeratitis (a sunburn of the cornea) and, with long-term exposure, cataracts and other vision problems. This chemical-type damage from UV is a more consistent and long-lasting hazard to eye tissues than the heating effects associated with infrared, the limited penetration of visible light (which mainly causes glare or temporary photochemical effects at very high intensities), or the generally low-penetration, non-ionizing nature of microwaves. So, ultraviolet radiation is the form most harmful to the eye.