[Sun and skin and eye protection].

Overexposure to sunlight during travel can have harmful short- and long-term effects on the eyes and skin. Cutaneous effects include premature aging, actinic keratosis, and cancer. The eye is highly sensitive to invisible radiation, especially ultraviolet rays which can damage the crystalline lens and cornea. Retinal lesions usually involve the macula on which rays of the visible spectrum come to focus. Various natural and artificial methods can be used for sun protection. Limiting sun exposure is advisable for all. Sunscreens should be used to attenuate the effects of sun and not to prolong exposure. Fair-skinned subjects, especially those with numerous nevi, must use total sunscreen preparations starting from birth. Eye protection is necessary for everyone but especially young children, aphakic subjects, and patients presenting congenital or acquired retinal lesions. Dark lenses with a category 2 protection rating according to European Economic Community standards are recommended in tropical areas.