Summer Eye Care Tips
There are a lot of fun activities to do during the summer, including swimming, hiking, walking the dog, bicycling, and boating, among others. Many of these activities require being out in the sun, and if you’re not careful, this could lead to sustained or even permanent harm to your eyes.
Too much exposure to UV light rays can permanently damage your eyes, and with the summer sun out in full force, it is important to learn how to protect your eyes from harm. The good news is that there are several easy ways you can protect your eyes from the sun, and still manage to have a great summer!
Wearing UV-Protective Sunglasses This Summer
The best and most sure-proof way to protect your eyes is to wear UV-protective sunglasses, as well as a wide-brimmed hat that casts a shadow over your face whenever you’re out in direct sunlight. Remember to also wear your hat and sunglasses even if it is cloudy, because the most harmful UV rays can pass through the cloud cover.
The style of sunglasses that you choose can also help protect your eyes from sun damage, so when possible, select a wraparound style to get the most coverage, and be extra careful in UV-intense conditions. This means during the peak sunlight hours from mid-day to early afternoon, stay inside or make sure to wear your hat and sunglasses when out of doors.
Avoiding Direct Contact With the Sun
Another great way to avoid sun damage is to never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time during the day, even during a special event such as an eclipse, could lead to solar retinopathy, which is defined as damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation. You can always enjoy the summer sunsets by looking at the colorful clouds surrounding the sun, and you don’t have to look at the sun directly.
Summer Sun Isn’t the Only Harmful Kind
Although the sun’s rays are the most intense during the summer, the sunlight you receive during the winter can also be harmful to your eyes. And while you don’t necessarily have to wear sunglasses and a hat in the winter, make sure to wear sunscreen of 35 SPF or higher. Even if you are skiing, it is important to wear sunscreen and goggles or snowboard sunglasses to protect your eyes from reflected light and UV damage.
Research shows that nearsightedness in kids can be a result of not enough exposure to natural sunlight during essential growth periods in their young lives. An easy way to reduce this danger is to get your children to exercise outside, so they can get the benefit of fresh air and natural light in the summer time. Have them wear a baseball hat to protect their eyes and face while exercising, too. If you take these precautions, you will be able to keep you and your children’s eyes healthy and safe from the sun’s harmful rays.
[Photo Cred: Pixabay]
