Summer is here! You’re wearing sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn, but what are you doing to protect your eyes? Here are some common summer eye dangers and how to avoid them.
Four Summer Eye Hazards
It’s summer. That means it’s time to go outside and enjoy the outdoors! It also means exposure to dangers that can pose severe risks to your vision.
Keep your eyes safe this summer by protecting your vision from the following eye hazards:
Sun: Sunshine feels amazing after those long winter nights, but too much UV exposure can increase the risk of certain eye diseases. This includes cataracts, macular degeneration, and damage to the macula, lens, and cornea. Plus, UV rays can cause skin cancer on the eyelids. Although we can’t put sunblock on our eyes, quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays can help shields against major risks.
Pool: Swimming in the pool is a great way to beat the summer heat, but the chemicals or pathogens can also be harmful to your eyes. This is especially true for contact wearers! Lenses can act like a sponge and hold in water that could be harboring bacteria or parasites. When in the pool, swim without contact lenses and wear goggles with a good seal around the eyes.
Sports: Summer is a great time for kids to be active and play outside. Make sure you are taking eye safety into account! Soccer, tennis, skateboarding, baseball, and any other high impact activity risk objects (like fingers, balls, dirt, grass and other debris) getting into the eyes. Even a small ball impacting the eye can create retinal damage, hyphema, glaucoma, and vision loss. Choose the right eye protection for your sport! This might include prescription goggles, a face guard, or a helmet.
Yard Work: Lawnmowers and weed trimmers simplify outdoor upkeep. But these machine blades have a dangerous momentum and can shoot things out - including stones. A punctured eye is a common injury resulting from yard work. Avoid this scenario by wearing protective goggles with shields.
Taking these few simple precautions will help you get the most out of the summer season while reducing risks to your vision.
Summer Eye Protection Tips
Be eye smart in the sun by taking the following protection tips:
Wear sunglasses with full UV protection. This means looking for sunglasses labeled wither UV400 or 100% UV protection. Also, pay attention to lens style. Wraparound sunglasses provide better protection and reduce the risk of eye injuries.
Wear a hat, even on cloudy days. This will give your eyes, face, and scalp an extra level of protection.
Wash your hands! While this is important any time of the year, people are more active outside during the summer months. This makes it easier for eye infections to spread.
Embrace these simple tips so you and your family can enjoy the summer sun safely while protecting your vision.
Protect Your Vision This Summer With Eden Prairie Eye Care
If you wear prescription lenses or contacts, protecting your eyes during the summer can be a challenge. Dr. Oker at Eden Prairie Eye Care will help you explore a wide variety of options - such as prescription sunglasses, sportswear, or even transition contact lenses - to find the right solution for you and your lifestyle.
Schedule your appointment today by calling (952) 944-2792 or by completing our online form and keep your eyes safe during the sunny season!
Comentarios