Made in the Shade: Summer Eye Care Tips
Summer is here. With every season, certain challenges arise, particularly regarding your eye health. Your eyes are prone to damage during the warmer months, as certain activities, such as swimming, cookouts, and sun exposure, become the norm.
At Gordon Wong Eye Designs and Optometry in La Jolla, CA, we offer a wide range of treatments for your vision care needs. Here, we share a few summer eye care tips to keep you comfortable this season.
Choose Sunglasses with 100 Percent UV Protection
It is no secret that ultraviolet rays are harmful for your eyes and skin. But prolonged exposure can negatively affect your vision.
In fact, UV rays can cause a painful condition called photokeratitis, which is essentially a sunburn of the eyes. This can result in pain, redness, blurred vision, and even temporary vision loss.
All sunglasses shield against some UV rays. However, be sure you purchase a pair of shades that offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
Wear a Hat
Sunglasses are an excellent way to guard your eyes from harmful rays. But did you know that UV radiation can still reach in through the gaps on the side of your glasses?
For this reason, we recommend wearing a large-brimmed hat as well, whenever you spend prolonged periods of time outdoors. This can help protect against basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that commonly affects the eyelids.
Protect Your Eyes from Chlorine
It’s time to hit the pool, but be sure you wear goggles to protect your eyes from chlorine. This chemical can dry out the eyes and affect the natural tear film that lubricates them.
In addition to wearing goggles while swimming, splash some fresh water on your closed eyelids when you get out of the pool.
Wear Eye Protection for Outdoor Activities
Whether you’re doing yard work or having fun in the sun, it is important to protect your eyes from debris, such as pollen, dust, and sand. Invest in safety goggles to wear while participating in outdoor activities, including sports.
Avoid Dry Eyes
Dry eye syndrome is a painful condition that leaves your eyes feeling gritty and irritated. Dry eyes can be caused by a number of things.
However, during the summer months, dehydration is a primary risk factor. When you are dehydrated, your body loses the ability to produce quality tears. This lack of lubrication can lead to severe dry eyes. Drinking plenty of water can combat these symptoms and help keep your eyes healthy.
In addition, smoking can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. If you need another reason to kick the habit, you should know that the use of tobacco products can increase your risk for other serious eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts, among other things.
Use Eye Drops When Necessary
Despite your best efforts, you may still require eye drops to alleviate dry eyes and other eye conditions common in the summertime. If your eyes feel gritty, artificial tears may help lubricate them and provide relief. In any case, ask your doctor which type of eye medication is right for you.
Contact Our Practice to Learn More
Practicing appropriate summer eye care is a small thing that can offer long-term benefits. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at (858) 454-4699.