Eye Care Tips for Summer
Summer is underway! It is a season full of swimming, cookouts, sports, and beach activities. While most individuals are well-informed about how to care for their skin during these warmer months, few fully understand the importance of proper eye care.
Our team in Monterey, CA is here to share a few helpful eye care tips for summer, as well as offer general eye care advice.
Choose Appropriate Sunglasses
While most sunglasses these days provide decent UV protection, it is still a good idea to double check these specs before you buy. Be sure you choose a pair of shades with 100 percent protection from both UVA and UVB rays. It is also important to wear sunglasses even if it is cloudy.
Excessive exposure to harmful UV rays can lead to an eye condition known as photokeratitis. This is essentially a sunburn of the eyes and can lead to uncomfortable side effects and further issues if left untreated.
Wear a Hat
Sunglasses will only protect you so much. Harmful rays can still seep through the gaps in your glasses and cause damage to the eyelids and surrounding tissues. For this reason, we recommend wearing a hat with a brim at least three inches wide. Doing so can significantly decrease your exposure to UV rays and help prevent basal cell carcinoma.
Use Goggles While Swimming
Most pools use chlorine and other chemicals to protect you from germs and infections. Unfortunately, these chemicals can wreak havoc on your eyes. We recommend wearing goggles every time you take a dip in the pool. In fact, wearing them in lakes, oceans, and other bodies of natural water is also a good idea, as they can protect your eyes from a number of contaminants.
Consider Safety Glasses When Necessary
Chemical exposure is not the only summertime threat to your eye health. Other environmental factors, such as sand, dust, and dirt, can cause painful abrasions on the eye. To prevent corneal injuries and other eye problems, wear safety glasses as a proactive measure when playing sports, doing yardwork, riding in off-road vehicles, or performing other outdoor activities.
Stay Hydrated
Unsurprisingly, eyes work better when they are healthy and hydrated. During the summer months, it is more common to experience dehydration. This can actually prevent the production of healthy tears. As a result, the eyes become dry, red, and irritated. Drinking plenty of water every day can help reverse the effects of dehydration and promote healthy tear duct function.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Quality sleep is crucial for your overall well being, including the health of your eyes. When you are tired, you are more likely to rub your eyes. This stimulates the lacrimal gland, which in turn, increases the exposure to irritants. Some research studies have even concluded that individuals without adequate sleep suffer decreased cognitive function regarding visual tasks. The best way to avoid these issues is to get plenty of sleep every night.
Contact Us to Learn More
These summer eye care tips are sure to keep you protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Remember that it is never too early to encourage proper eye health. Therefore, have your children wear sunglasses, goggles, and hats as well. To learn more, contact us online or call us at (831) 375-2020.