Caring for Your Eyes in The Summer

HVA • 1 year ago

When the summer season approaches, it is important that we take extra precautions to safeguard our physical health. This includes caring for your eyes in the summer and shielding them from the sun's harmful UV rays. Here is a list of the top summer eye care tips to help you keep your eyes protected and healthy this summer.

Summer Eye Care Tips

The top summer eye care tips include:

Wear 100% UV Protection Sunglasses

Wearing 100% UV protection sunglasses is the top eye care tip every ophthalmologist will give any patient consulting them about eye care advice during summer. Protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays is critical. Overexposure to sunlight can cause you to develop several eye conditions and increase your likelihood of developing cataracts, growths on the eyes, or, worse cases, cancer.

UV rays can also speed up the aging process of all parts of your eyes and make you more susceptible to developing Macular Degeneration — a condition that can cause irreversible vision loss. Moreover, increased sun exposure can also cause your eyes to get sunburned, a condition termed Photokeratitis which can lead to unwanted symptoms like pain, headaches, blurred vision, and redness of the eyes.

100% UV protection glasses will help ensure that no UV rays can penetrate your sunglasses and harm your eyes. Remember that UV rays can also pass through clouds, so regardless of the weather, it is best to wear sunglasses outdoors during summertime, especially during the peak hours of the day when the sun may be harsh.

Keep Your Eyes Moisturized

Dry eyes are a common complaint that many individuals have during summertime. When you spend more time outdoors during summer, the dry winds and increased heat can cause you to develop dry eyes. The summer environment directly impacts your eye's tear film and causes it to dry out quickly, leading to dryness and irritation.

The best way to protect yourself from this condition is to utilize artificial tear drops to keep your eyes well-moisturized during the hot summer days. Most teardrops do not require a prescription; you can easily find them at any local pharmacy.

Incorporate A Visor or Hats into Your Outfits

Although sunglasses provide the first layer of protection, wearing a sun hat or visor is always preferable for added safety. It also helps to wear a hat with a brim at least three inches wide. Basal Cell Carcinoma is a type of cancer that most commonly affects the eyelids. It can form in between the brows or the eye's outer corners.

However, it most frequently appears on the eyelids, which receive the most sun exposure. Therefore, protecting the outer layer of your eyes from sunlight is just as important as protecting the inner layer.

Invest in Proper Eye Gear for Swimming

Swimming is a well-liked summer sport since it's fun and refreshing, especially on hot days. However, many people neglect that chlorine is used to sanitize pools, which can irritate your eyes if it comes into contact with them. Therefore, if you plan on swimming this summer, you must purchase goggles to protect your eyes from the harsh chlorine in the pools.

Wash Your Hands Regularly and Refrain from Rubbing Your Eyes

Many studies have found that eye rubbing is usually to blame for spreading eye infections and disease. When you touch unsanitized surfaces that someone with an eye infection may have touched and then rub your eyes without washing your hands, you also risk developing that infection. Therefore, you must wash your hands regularly and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes to avoid spreading infections like conjunctivitis.

Your eyes are also increasingly susceptible to infection after eye surgeries like cataracts or Lasik surgery. Hence, it is highly recommended to wash your hands thoroughly before applying any medication to your eyes and avoid rubbing them at all costs.

Moreover, if you have an eye infection washing your hands every time you apply medication to your eyes is advisable. Doing so will help you avoid spreading the infection to others when you come in contact with them and keep you from contaminating your surroundings.

Stay Hydrated

Many people are unaware that dehydration has a direct influence on their eyes. When we are dehydrated, it might impair our ability to produce tears. This can cause stinging, dryness, irritability, redness, impaired vision, or watery eyes. Drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily helps keep you hydrated and gives your eyes the moisture they need to operate properly.

Consume Healthy Summer Vegetables and Fruits

Your eyes are a part of your body, so taking care of your body and providing it with adequate hydration and nutrition directly impacts your eye health. Thankfully, summer brings a wide range of delicious and healthy produce that can help you stay hydrated and give your body the adequate nutrients it needs to function optimally.

Mango, watermelons, papaya and peaches are all rich sources of important vitamins, like Vitamin C and E, which are known to aid in the prevention of age-related vision issues. Moreover, maintaining a healthy diet will help you avoid developing conditions like diabetes which significantly impact your eyesight and lead to blindness in the worst cases. Here is a list of eye-healthy summer foods that you can incorporate into your diet:

· Strawberries

· Green peppers

· Oranges

· Sweet potatoes

· carrotsTomatoes

· Grapefruit

· Kale

· Asparagus

· Broccoli

· Oysters

· Eggs

· Shellfish

· Peanuts

· Spinach

· Collard greens

Avoid Sitting in Front of Air Conditioning or Fans

Spending a large amount of time sitting in front of fans or air conditioning during the summertime can cause you to develop dry eyes. Hence, keeping your car's air conditioning aimed somewhere other than directly in front of your eyes is advisable. Dry eye illness may be quite irritating. Thus it is essential to take proactive measures to avoid it.

Bottom Line

Every season brings new challenges for eye health, with summers presenting the risk of eye infections and dryness, among other issues. Taking proactive actions, such as following the summer eye care tips mentioned above, will help you maintain optimal eye health during the warmer months. Explore the Healthy Vision Association for additional information on eye health, illnesses, tips, and how-to manuals for improving and maintaining healthy vision.