The Best Ways To Protect Your Eyes During The Summer
Protecting your eyes during the summer is essential for maintaining good eye health and preventing damage from the sun's harmful UV rays. But while we all know by now the importance of keeping those polarized sunglasses on, that isn’t the only thing you can do during summer to keep your eyes and sight in top shape.
Here are our top recommendations for summer eye care.
1. Minimize The Effects Of Allergens And Debris
For many, the summer months mean a significant increase in time spent outdoors. Being outside increases our exposure to irritants like allergens, dust, and debris. While it is impossible to completely eradicate the risk of getting foreign particles in our eyes, the risk can be reduced. Proper eyewear, especially when engaging in yard work or if you find yourself in a dusty area, can reduce what enters the eye.
For those who suffer from allergies, if you can, avoid doing yard work on days with high pollen counts. When your eyes are especially itchy, skip mowing the lawn.
If you do experience dry, itchy eyes, use lubricating eye drops to keep them moist and comfortable. Do your best to avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can easily cause more irritation or introduce new debris or germs.
2. Protect Your Eyes From The Sun
We know sunscreen protects our skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. Putting on a pair of sunglasses helps to protect our eyes from the same risk. Skipping on a slightly overcast day may seem fine, but the brightness doesn’t directly correlate to radiation.
UV radiation can raise the chance of developing an eye disease, especially cancer, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Extremely bright lights, like direct sunlight, can slowly damage the retina and optic nerves.
When selecting a pair of sunglasses, choose one that offers complete eye coverage and blocks UVA and UVB radiation. Never pick up sunglasses that don’t say 100% UV protection. Blocking both is essential to maintaining eye health.
And if possible, reach for a polarized pair to give optimized protection. Polarized lenses naturally reduce the amount of light entering the eye, whether you are in an area where sunlight is reflecting off surfaces or not. However, the real benefits come if an intense amount of reflection occurs. You’ll see the most significant advantages of opting for polarized sunglasses when:
- You are driving your car or riding a motorcycle.
- Water sports, fishing, or going to the beach
- Outdoor activities in snowy conditions
Pairing sunglasses with a wide-brimmed hat provides additional protection by shading your eyes from direct sunlight and minimizing UV exposure.
3. Invest In Proper Sport And Hobby Goggles
Most eye injuries across all ages come from accidents that occur during sports, hobbies, or other physical activities. Eye trauma can generally be categorized into blunt, penetration, and radiation. Eyes are sensitive, and even what might appear to be a slight issue at first can hide more substantial damage or put you at greater risk of problems as you age.
Protective eyewear comes in many styles and types, depending on your needs. From typical safety glasses and goggles for hobbies to stylish sports glasses you might see on TV. Be sure to wear suitable eye protection when engaging in possibly dangerous activities.
4. Watch Out Around Fireworks
Of the many yearly fireworks injuries, 15% are to the eyes – making them the third most common injury. Hands and legs account for a combined 52% of injuries. Here are a few key tips for protecting your and your kid's eyes:
- The safest way to view fireworks is from 500 feet away or more, so make sure you are in a large enough open area to accommodate safety.
- Delayed explosions can be destructive to your eyes. Do not pick up a dud. If it lights and does not explode, leave it until it can be doused.
- When it comes to sparklers, it is vital that children hold them away from their faces and eyes and know to keep a distance from others while they are lit.
- Whether you are lighting fireworks or watching, ensure everyone wears protective eye gear like safety glasses or goggles, especially younger children.
- If you are lighting fireworks, do not hold them near your face or eyes.
5. Keep Regular Eye Care Appointments
You should have your eyes examined at least annually, even if you have 20/20 vision. Many vision problems have very gradual onsets, and having a regular check-up allows you to set a baseline for your normal vision and catch those changes early when they can be most easily addressed.
If you notice something changing between visits, especially as you begin to spend more time outdoors or in bright sunlight, be sure to schedule your next appointment sooner.
Asheville Vision And Wellness: Your Summer Eye Care Specialists
For Buncombe and surrounding counties in North Carolina, Asheville Vision and Wellness has the expertise, respect, and technology you can trust with your vision.
Since 1989, our staff has served the area using the latest science and medical treatments to keep your vision healthy. Our optometrists are certified in diagnosing, treating, and managing ocular disease with examinations customized just for your unique eye-care needs. We accept a wide variety of insurance plans and payment options.
If you have concerns about your eyesight this summer or are overdue for an annual checkup, schedule an appointment online or call us at (828) 747-9260.