I read with interest an article in the NOV 2007 medical journal of Australia regarding a 35 yo male professional kite surfer who died from metastatic melanoma. He presented with multiple liver lesions. The primary was found to be from his eye,more specifically his retina. The kite surfer never wore sunglasses. Melanoma from the retina spreads more quickly than skin lesions as their are no lymphatics in the retina. Skin melanoma's might spread first to a lymph node (surgical treatment still reasonably effective ), whereas from the retina it goes straight into your blood stream to your liver ( your cactus).

Kiting exposes you to direct UV radiation as well as reflected. You can reduce your risk of melanoma by wearing sunglasses.

Even if you don't get melanoma, if you're out in the sun a lot and don't wears sunnies you've got a good chance of developing cateracts too.

Cheapest option is to buy a pair of $15 sunnies from the servo and tie the things to your harness. that way when you get dragged after failing to stick your new trick, it only costs you $15.

D

What's the difference between Cataracts and Dterijium's (spelling?) anyone know off-hand?

Also

cataracts are when the lens becomes opaque, while pterygiums are overgrowth of the conjunctiva (kind of like skin) across the surface of the eye. both are caused by sun