Bengaluru UV index hits 13, causing surge in skin and eye disorders

Key facts

• Bengaluru’s ultraviolet (UV) index reached 13 this year, exceeding the usual summer peak of 12.
• UV levels above 8 are classified as harmful and can cause significant skin and eye damage.
• Gleneagles BGS Hospital (Kengeri) reports that prolonged exposure at this level risks eyesight loss, metabolic issues and heat syncope.
• Apollo Medical Centre dermatologists recorded patient visits for UV-induced sunburn, itching, redness, oozing lesions and allergic reactions starting in the second half of February.
• Long-term UV exposure accelerates skin ageing, worsens melasma and freckles, and carries a potential skin cancer risk.
• Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital (Yelahanka) states short-term UV exposure can trigger photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis, causing redness, light sensitivity and grittiness.
• Chronic UV exposure can lead to pterygium, pinguecula, corneal degeneration, cataract formation, retinal damage, age-related macular degeneration and eyelid cancers such as basal or squamous cell carcinoma.