Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

Ultraviolet Awareness Month – May 2024

Ultraviolet Awareness Month is observed in the United States throughout May. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays may burn delicate eye tissue and increase the chances of developing cataracts and eye cancer. The main source of ultraviolet rays is the Sun. It releases energy (radiation) in many forms, of which sunlight is one. The heat we feel from the Sun is another. The third type is ultraviolet, which is invisible to the human eye. Ultraviolet rays cause sunburn and may also damage your eyes and negatively affect your vision. The best way to protect your eyes from ultraviolet ray exposure is by wearing the correct sunglasses along with a wide-brimmed hat.

History of Ultraviolet Awareness Month

There are two types of ultraviolet rays: U.V.A. and U.V.B. U.V.A. can hurt your central vision and damage the macula, which is a part of the retina at the back of your eye. On the other hand, the front part of your eye (the cornea and the lens) absorbs most U.V.B. rays. These rays tend to do even more damage to the eyes than U.V.A.

But which eye problems can occur due to much exposure to ultraviolet rays? It may lead to macular degeneration and vision loss, cataracts, pterygium, skin cancer around the eyelids, and corneal sunburn, which can be very painful and may cause temporary vision loss. The easiest way to protect the eyes is to wear proper eye protection and hats that block U.V. rays. U.V. rays may not just come from the Sun, they may also be reflected from water, snow, and bright surfaces. If you play sports outdoors often, you must consider investing in high-grade eyewear.

Eyewear that absorbs U.V. rays is the best way to ensure protection. All types of eyewear, including prescription and non-prescription glasses, contact lenses, and lens implants, efficiently absorb U.V.A. and U.V.B. rays. If you are considering everyday eyewear for U.V. protection, there are several options such as U.V.-blocking lens materials, coatings, and photochromic lenses. UV ray protection eyewear is pocket-friendly and does not hinder your vision. A small step towards eye protection can go a long way in preserving the health of your eyes.

Ultraviolet Awareness Month timeline

1747
The First Cataract Surgery

Jacques Daviel performs the first cataract surgery in Paris, France.

1801
U.V Rays are Discovered

Johann Wilhelm Ritter discovers ultraviolet rays in Jena, Germany.

1809
Retinoblastoma is Detected

Malignant cells in the retina are detected by James Wardrop.

1893
The Vacuum Ultraviolet is Discovered

Victor Schumann discovers that some U.V. rays are absorbed by oxygen in the air.

Ultraviolet Awareness Month FAQs

How can we stay safe from ultraviolet rays?

Stay in the shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your skin and eyes, and wear wraparound sunglasses.

Are there any people who can see ultraviolet light?

It’s been said that ultraviolet light, which ranges from 10 to 400 nanometers, is not detectable to the human eye. Yet, new research shows that some young adults can see ultraviolet light (at a U.V. peak of 315 nanometers), but the health implications may be severe.

What colors can’t humans see?

The human eye is unable to see red-green and yellow-blue simultaneously.

How to Observe Ultraviolet Awareness Month

  1. Buy yourself the correct eyewear

    Buy eyewear that will protect you from U.V. rays. You can opt for a sturdy pair of glasses or sunglasses, contact lenses, or have lens implants.

  2. Wear a hat

    Head to an apparel store to get yourself a wide-brimmed hat to wear when out in the Sun. Make sure it covers your eyes and a good part of your face.

  3. See your eye doctor

    If you experience any eye discomfort, visit your eye doctor. Timely medical help can quickly treat your eye ailments.

5 Facts About The Eye

  1. The eye is highly efficient

    It can focus on up to 50 objects per second.

  2. It can distinguish between many colors

    10 million different colors, to be precise.{Eyes work very hard

  3. Eyes work very hard

    Your eyes use about 65% of your brainpower — more than any other body part.

  4. There is a fear of eyes

    It’s called ommetaphobia.

  5. Most of your eyeball is hidden

    Only one-sixth of it is visible.

Why Ultraviolet Awareness Month is Important

  1. Highlights the importance of eye care

    Our eyes allow us to see all the wonderful things in the world. Can you imagine a life without vision? Ultraviolet Awareness Month is the perfect time for us to learn more about taking care of our eyes.

  2. It raises awareness

    Not many people are aware of the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet Awareness Month informs people about the issue and helps them find ways to treat and prevent it.

  3. It helps the fight against cancer

    Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays may cause skin cancer around the eyelids. Ultraviolet Awareness Month helps the fight against skin and eye cancer.

Ultraviolet Awareness Month dates

YearDateDay
2024May 1Wednesday
2025May 1Thursday
2026May 1Friday
2027May 1Saturday
2028May 1Monday
Hurricane Preparedness Week
National Physical Education and Sport Week
Aces Day
Agriculture and Labor Day
Beltane
Blessing Day
Calan Mai
Couple Appreciation Day
CSS Reboot Day
Executive Coaching Day
Frequent Flyer Day
Global Love Day
Great American Grump Out
International Doodle Dog Day
International Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day
Labor Day Philippines
Learn to Ride a Bike Day
Lei Day
Marshall Islands Constitution Day
May Day
Mother Goose Day
National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day
National Chocolate Parfait Day
National Infertility Survival Day
National Interpreter Appreciation Day
National Loyalty Day
National Mantra Day
National Purebred Dog Day
National Rotate Your Beer Day
National Skilled Trades Day
National Skilled Trades Day
New Homeowners Day
Phone in Sick Day
Save The Rhino Day
School Principals' Day
Silver Star Banner Day
Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day
Worthy Wage Day
ALS Awareness Month
American Cheese Month
American Wetlands Month
Anxiety Awareness Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Awareness of Medical Orphans Month
Be Kind to Animals Month
Bealtaine Festival
Better Sleep Month
Better Speech and Hearing Month
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Brain Cancer Awareness Month
Building Safety Month
Celiac Awareness Month
Chip Your Pet Month
Chronic Fatigue Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Community Action Month
Correct Posture Month
Creative Beginnings Month
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Date Your Mate Month
Deck Safety Month
EDS Awareness Month
Electromagnetic Radiation Awareness Month
Family Wellness Month
Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
Food Allergy Action Month
Fungal Infection Awareness Month
Gardening for Wildlife Month
Get Caught Reading Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
Global Youth Traffic Safety Month
Haitian Heritage Month
Heal the Children Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Homeschool Awareness Month
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month
Indian Heritage Month
Internal Audit Awareness Month
International Business Image Improvement Month
International Civility Awareness Month
International Drum Month
International Respect for Chickens Month
International Victorious Woman Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Labor History Month
Latino Books Month
Leaders of Tomorrow Month
Lettuce Month
Local and Community History Month
Lung Health Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Make May Purple /Action On Stroke Month
Maternal Mental Health Month
May Measurement Month
MCS Awareness Month
Meditation Month
Mediterranean Diet Month
Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Military Appreciation Month
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
National Asparagus Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bicycle Safety Month
National Blood Pressure Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Comfort Month
National Digestive Disease Awareness Month
National Duckling Month
fried egg on national egg month
National Egg Month
National Foster Care Month
National Hamburger Month
National Heritage Month
National Inventors Month
a nurse on National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Moving Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Pet Month
National Photography Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Physiotherapy Month
National Preservation Month
National Prom Graduation Safety Month
National Recommitment Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National San Architect Month
National Service Dog Eye Examination Month
National Share a Story Month
National Show Your Smile Month
National Sight-Saving Month
National Strawberry Month
National Teen Self-Esteem Month
National Tennis Month
National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month
National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Vinegar Month
National Walking Month
National Youth Traffic Safety Month
Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month
Neurofibromatosis Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Safety Month
REACT Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Small Business Month
Speech and Hearing Awareness Month
Steelmark Month
Strike Out Strokes Month
Stroke Awareness Month
Syringomyelia Awareness Month
Teen CEO Month
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month
Ultraviolet Awareness Month
Women's Health Month
Zombie Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.