x& Many people understand the importance of protecting their skin throughout the summer months, but fewer are aware that it is similarly important to take the steps to protect their eyes. There are many steps that you can take to help protect your eyes in the summer. These steps can help to protect the health of your eyes and minimize the possibility of serious problems due to excessive sun exposure or other issues. Here are some tips to help you protect your eyes in the summer.
Dangers of Sun Exposure
When your eyes are exposed to UV rays from the sun, there are many negative health consequences that may arise. For one thing, consistent sun exposure often increases the risk of developing cataracts over time. Cancer is another problem that can arise due to too much sun exposure. Photokeratitis is the term for what are essentially eye sunburns. When your eyes get burned, it will be incredibly uncomfortable and may even have a negative impact on the health of your eyes.
Wear Sunglasses
It is crucial to ensure that you wear sunglasses throughout the summer months. This is especially important when it comes to time at the beach, because the sand and water can reflect UV rays back into your eyes. Wearing sunglasses can help to protect your vision. It is important to ensure that the sunglasses are designed to block UV rays. They need to both protect from UVA rays and UVB rays that can damage your eyes. Consider sunglasses that will wraparound in order to prevent sunlight and UV rays from entering through the sides of the sunglasses.
Wear a Hat
Wearing a hat can help to protect your eyes in the summer. Ensure that this hat has a wide brim that will provide shade. The brim of the hat can help to protect the vision by providing shade over the eyes. It can also help to protect the skin of the face. A hat, in general, is an excellent idea in the summer months because it can also help to protect the scalp from becoming burnt.
Take Care in the Pool
It is incredibly important to be careful about your eyes when you spend time in a swimming pool. There are many issues that can arise when you are careless with your vision in the pool. Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as pink eye, is an incredibly contagious disease that can spread throughout a pool. This can cause an individual to contract pink eye from simply swimming in the same pool as another person who has pink eye. Eyes can easily become irritated from the chlorine that is present in the swimming pool. Acanthamoeba keratitis is an incredibly serious, though rare, infection that can occur from swimming in the pool. This infection arises when a particular microscopic amoeba becomes trapped between the cornea and the contacts. This can result in blindness, which is one of the reasons that it is incredibly important to care for the eyes in the summer.
There are several steps that you can take to make it safer for your eyes when you swim in the pool. You should never wear your contacts while swimming, as this can cause bacteria to become trapped in the eyes. You should also consider wearing goggles whenever you are swimming in order to prevent harmful particles from coming into contact with your eyes. Using eye drops and staying hydrated can similarly help to protect your eyes in the summer. Washing your eyes with clean water after swimming can similarly help to provide protection for the eyes.
Lakes and Ponds
Swimming in lakes and ponds is another popular summer activity. Lakes and ponds often contain high levels of bacteria that can cause infections in the eyes. Just like when you swim in a pool, you shouldn’t wear contacts when swimming in lakes and ponds and should consider the use of goggles.
Use Eye Protection During Outdoor Activities
Ensure that you always use eye protection during outdoor activities. For example, you should always wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear when you mow the lawn. There is the possibility that the lawnmower can kick up a rock that can hit your eye. Outdoor sports, four wheeling, and other outdoor activities will benefit from the use of protective eyewear, as well. Wearing this gear can go a long way toward protecting your vision.
Get Enough Sleep
There are many reasons that it is important to get enough sleep, both for general health and the health of the eyes. When you ensure that you get the amount of sleep that you need, you will be able to help prevent your eyes from drying out. You should also ensure that you remain hydrated during the summer to ensure that your eyes can stay moisturized and comfortable.
Signs and Symptoms of Sunburnt Eyes
Understanding the signs and symptoms of sunburnt eyes can help you to provide the appropriate protection for the health of your eyes. Sunburns on the eyes often result in pain that can range from mild to severe. Bloodshot or teary eyes are also incredibly common when the eyes become sunburnt. Light sensitivity, blurred vision, and the sensation of something in your eye all generally occur when your eyes become sunburnt. If you notice these symptoms, you should ensure that you wear sunglasses and prevent any additional sun exposure.
At Wolcott Optical, our team is passionate about protecting the health of your eyes and optimizing your vision. It is crucial to protect your eyes in the summer, because they can easily become burnt or damaged by common summer activities. Taking care when you are swimming, playing sports, or just being out in the sun can go a long way toward protecting your vision. It is important to regularly obtain eye exams in order to check the condition of your eyes and keep them healthy. To learn more about the best strategies for protecting your eyes in the summer months, contact our experts at Wolcott Optical today!
