Can Your Eyes Get Sunburned?

If an epic, sunny day outdoors ends with your eyes feeling like they’re covered in sand, you might wonder: Did I fry more than just my skin?  

Though it may sound strange, your eyes can indeed succumb to sunburn. “It’s called photokeratitis,” says Jeff Pettey, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “It’s essentially a sunburn on the cornea and whites of your eye.”