Top Tips to Prevent Damage to Your Eyes in the Summer
Who doesn’t love Summertime? Whether you’re lounging on a beach somewhere, hanging out with friends in the local beer garden, or sunbathing in the back garden, the sun has an incredible ability to lift our mood. But it can also be a danger – to our skin, our hydration levels, and our eyes.
Many of us put a lot of thought into looking good for the Summer. People start diets in preparation for bikini season, we splash out on new holiday clothes that – let’s face it – we probably don’t need, and we smother ourselves in sun cream to avoid the dreaded sunburn (hopefully).
But many of us forget about one of the most important assets we own (not to mention one of the most attractive) – our eyes.
They don’t call the eyes “the window to the soul” for nothing. They can give away our true feelings and our true age. And this is even more likely if we don’t do what is necessary to take care of them. And this is even more true in the harsh Summer and Winter months.
So, what can cause damage to our eyes in the Summer and what can we do to prevent this?
1. Shield them from the rays
Sunglasses have become one of everyone’s favourite Summer accessories. So much so that it can be easy to forget they actually perform a vital physical function. Good quality sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that are emitted from the sun. To make sure your eyes are well taken care of, opt for a pair that offers 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection.
If you want to go the extra mile, pair your new sunglasses with a wide-brimmed hat. This will not only offer even more protection for the eyes themselves but also shield the delicate skin that surrounds them. Why wouldn’t you want that? Sun damage does cause wrinkles, after all!
2. Protect them in the pool
What would a Summer holiday be without the regular dip in the pool or the sea? We’re not suggesting you should forego these refreshing dips in favour of maintaining eye health, but there are things you can do to limit potential damage.
Swimming pools usually contain harsh chemicals (and God knows what else), that can be damaging to our eyes – especially if over-exposed. This can leave your eyes feeling sore and itchy and can strip back the three layers of tear film which helps to hydrate, clean, and protect your eyes from bacteria.
Limit your eyes’ exposure to water by avoiding total submergence and splash battles. If you are really one for a breath-holding competition, however, a pair of swimming goggles will do the trick.
3. Prepare for dry environments
To many people, the Summer months mean jetting off to warmer – and drier – climes. Away from the unreliable British Summer, we enjoy chasing high temperatures and long, rain-free days. But this can cause another problem for our poor eyes.
In addition to your protective sunglasses, consider packing a bottle of ‘artificial tears’ or lubricating eye drops. Not only will these keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable in the hot sun, but they will also prevent your eyes from drying out on the plane! [LINK TO NEW ‘When Can I Fly…’ article]
4. Drink plenty of water
This point is pretty straightforward – make sure to sip a few bottles of water in between the pina coladas! We are made up of around two-thirds water, making this one of the most important things we can do to maintain a healthy body and healthy eyes.
Our eyes require plenty of water in order to maintain a healthy structure and lubrication function. But the water we drink passes through most of the body before our eyes start seeing the benefits! Most of us don’t drink enough water as it is, but in the hotter months, this becomes even more important. Be sure to bring a bottle of water with you when heading out on a hot day.
5. Be prepared for higher pollen levels
Hay fever. What a nightmare. Depending on the severity, this little irritation has the potential to completely ruin a Summer outing, with runny noses, scratchy throats and itchy eyes. This problem gets even worse if you are one of the unlucky ones who rely on contact lenses in order to – you know – see.
Always be sure to pack antihistamines and lubricating eye drops when heading out on high pollen days! Opting for glasses instead of contact lenses may help to ease hay fever irritation. Yet, ridding yourself of glasses and contact lenses for good could be a better option.
You may not be able to get rid of your pollen allergies altogether, but Laser Eye Surgery could help you get rid of those irritating plastic lenses!
For more information about eye health, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators – they will be happy to help! Alternatively, to learn more about what Laser Eye Surgery could do for you, Book a Consultation today.