Ocular exposure to solar ultraviolet and visible radiation at high latitudes

Exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and short wavelength light, blue light, from the sun was assessed under realistic geometric conditions. A spectroradiometer with a double monochromator was used to determine the spectral irradiance at 1-nm intervals within the wavelength range of 250-800 nm. Biological weighting functions were used to calculate the blue-light radiance and the weighted UV irradiance. In addition, a photometer with a 1 degree angle of view was used to measure the ambient luminance. The results indicate that sizable amounts of UV radiation and blue light can be reflected from different environmental surroundings. Hence various groups of outdoor workers seem to be at risk of chronic ocular overexposure to solar radiation. When occupational exposure limits for UV and visible radiation are revised, the risks of chronic exposure should receive more consideration than to date.