Ultraviolet Rays - An invisible band of radiation at the upper end of the visible light spectrum which is the primary source of ultraviolet light from the sun

Cataracts- Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing impairment of vision or blindness.

Pterygium- a fleshy mass of thickened conjunctiva that grows over part of the cornea usually from the inner side of the eyeball and causes a disturbance of vision

Snow blindness-inflammation and photophobia caused by exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet rays reflected from snow or ice

Retinal burn- benign flat spots of dark pigmentation on the skin (as from exposure to the sun) occurring especially among older people -- called also liver spots

Melanoma- a highly malignant tumor that starts in melanocytes of normal skin or moles and metastasizes rapidly and widely

Metastasize- to spread or grow

Melanocytes- an epidermal cell that produces melanin

Epidermis- the outer-most layer of skin

Ultraviolet rays- a type of light which are projected by the sun; the sun’s way of giving an output of energy; responsible for sunburns, tanning of the skin, skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and eye damage

Cataracts- a very serious reaction to the sun and its UV rays; causes a loss of clearness in the lens of the eye and clouds vision

Skin aging- a direct result of spending too much time in the sun; examples of this would be wrinkles, age spots, shingles, and tanning of the skin

Wrinkles- caused by the UVA rays

Age spots- also known as “liver spots,” caused by many years of exposure to the sun; usually develop on fair-

skinned people

Tanning- negative effect of the sun on the skin; skin’s natural defense mechanism against UV light to prevent sunburns

UVA Rays- penetrate deep into the skin, causing the outer layer of skin to wrinkle

UVB Rays- cause the skin to sunburn; destroy cells in the outer layer of the skin

Skin cancer- direct result of the DNA in the skin changing and mutating, developing a completely new

arrangement of skin cells

Malignant Melanoma- most deadly of all skin cancers; the disease takes place in the outer layer of skin

Squamous Cell Carcinoma- the skin disease which is second most accounted for; firstly develops as a raised

wart-like growth or crusty patch

Basal Cell Carcinoma- most common of all skin cancers; develops as a red patch or shiny bump and may

metastasize; it also grows very slowly

Melanin- that which colors the skin

References:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Cataracts

http://computing-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Cataracts

http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=pterygium

http://www.webster.com/dictionary/snow%20blindness

http://www.webster.com/dictionary/age%20spots

http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=melanoma

http://www.webster.com/dictionary/metastasize

http://www.webster.com/dictionary/melanocytes