Across the Northwest people are basking in the beautiful summer sunshine.

But you need to protect yourself from the dangerous ultraviolet rays.

And if you’re only thinking of your skin, you could be in trouble.

Doctor Kelly Chung is an opthamologist at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland. She has treated numerous people not for skin problems, but instead for eye problems.

File graphic

They just didn’t think to protect their eyes from the sun.

“There can be skin cancer on the eye, on the lids of the skin of the eyelids, there can be growths on the eye,” said Chung. She also said the eye can even get a sort of sunburn. “They can definitely be serious problems to have.”

On Monday, the EPA said the UV index in Portland was as high as it was in Atlanta. Doctor Chung says that's why people need to grab not only the sunscreen but also the hat and sunglasses.

Whether you're out for your run, tossing the Frisbee, or paddling up the Willamette, it's something you can't live without.

“You definitely could lose your sight from too much sun,” said Chung.