The skin around your eyes are the thinnest on the body and is the most susceptible to ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to excessive amount of UV radiation over a short period of time can cause extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tearing. It can be painful and feel like a sunburn to the eye. The longer the eyes are exposed to UV radiation, the greater the risk of developing eye disorders such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Fortunately, Summer eye protection and preventative options are available to offer UV protection.
Why Is Summer Eye Protection Important?
Short and long term exposure to UV radiation can harm the eyes, affect vision and compromise eye health. Eye diseases and conditions caused by exposure to UV radiation include:
- Macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Pterygium, also known as surfer’s eye
- Skin cancer in and around the eyelids
- Photokeratitis, also known as corneal sunburn
3 Tips to Protect Your Eyes This Summer
Wear Sunglasses with UV Protection
Sunglasses are essential for protecting eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunglasses should be worn whenever you are outdoors during the daytime and this should be a practice that comes as second nature.
For the best protection, choose sunglasses with 100-percent protection against both UVA and UVB rays. To be sure your sunglasses adequately protect your eyes, follow these tips from the AOA, which can also be found in the AOA’s Sunglasses Shopping Guide.
- Be sure your sunglasses block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. While some contact lenses also offer UV protection, these should still be worn with sunglasses to maximize protection.
- Your sunglasses should screen out 75 to 90% of visible light.
- The frame of your sunglasses needs to fit close to your eyes and contour to the shape of your face. This prevents exposure to UV rays from all sides, even from behind.
- Pick lenses that are perfectly matched in color and are free of distortion and imperfection. Lenses should also have a uniform tint, not darker in one area from another. The AOA suggests a gray tint, which is particularly helpful when driving as it offers the best color recognition.
Sport a Wide-Brimmed Hat
While sunglasses prevent overexposure to UV rays, they do not block them from every angle. To ensure full protection and overall eye health, wear a wide-brimmed hat in addition to your sunglasses to protect all sides of your eyes.
Eat a Healthy Diet and Stay Hydrated
Eye health starts with a good diet. It’s not just carrots that help your eye sight — dark green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts and dark-colored berries all contain essential nutrients and antioxidants that will do wonders for your eyes. Vitamin A, for example, is commonly found in bright yellow and orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes. Fruits like strawberries, oranges and mangoes provide vitamin C and other antioxidants, which also help fight eye disease. Salmon and other cold-water fish are also high in omega 3s — good for tear production, which relieves dry eyes.
In addition, it is important to stay hydrated. During the summer, you are more likely to become dehydrated, which can make it harder for the body to produce tears, leading to dry eyes and other vision problems. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water each day can prevent negative effects of dehydration.
Let Us Help
For a consultation towards healthy vision, or to clear up any questions you may have regarding Summer eye protection, contact Laser for Eyes today. We are standing by to answer any of your concerns, and to help you get your vision back to where you want it. Join our growing family of happy customers who trust us with their eyes.