Summer Eye Protection Beyond Just Sunglasses

Summer is a great time to enjoy being outside, whether you’re swimming, hiking, or just lazing in the sun. Unfortunately, though, it’s the time of year when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are most intense, and this means you need to protect your eyes in every way possible. While UV-blocking sunglasses are a great option, they’re not the only thing you need to consider.

Our expert team of ophthalmologists at Retina Specialists, located in and around Dallas, Texas, understands that you want to be out and about during the summer months, but we recommend a number of different ways to protect your eyes from unnecessary damage. Here are some of the best options.

All about the sun

The sun puts out a lot of UV light. While you can’t see it, it can damage your eyes and give you a whopping case of sunburn, if you’re not careful. It’s important to understand that clouds don’t filter out any of this light, so you’re at risk of damage even on cloudy or hazy days.

Sunlight is at its peak from about 10am to 4pm, and it’s stronger at high altitudes and when reflected off of water. Try to go outside either before or after peak output, and lessen the amount of time you spend outdoors if you’re high up or by the water.

In addition, never look directly at the sun. Doing so, even during an eclipse, can damage the retina at the back of the eye and cause solar retinopathy, a serious eye condition.

Best practices for summer eye protection

Here are the best things you can do to protect your eyes this summer:

Wear sunglasses

The US Environmental Protection Agency indicates the best way to protect your eyes from UV exposure is to buy and consistently wear sunglasses that provide 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays. There are many inexpensive options, so they won’t be hard to find. Wear them even on cloudy days.

Too much exposure to UV light can lead to photokeratitis or photo conjunctivitis (commonly known as “snow blindness”) in the short-term, and long-term exposure to UVB light can lead to cataracts, pterygium (a noncancerous growth over the cornea, commonly called “surfer’s eye”), or skin cancer of the eyelids.

Wear goggles in the water

Swimming pools use chlorine to prevent exposure to germs while you’re swimming, but chlorine can be hard on the eyes. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to wear tight-fitting goggles every time you take a dip in the pool. This advice also applies to the ocean and other bodies of water, as they may contain other contaminants that can be harmful.

A 2008 study showed that frequent chlorine exposure adversely affects the integrity of your corneal epithelium, the tissue that protects the cornea from irritants and pathogens. Repeated exposure to chemicals like chlorine increases the likelihood of developing a corneal abrasion or other types of eye injuries.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat

Even if you wear sunglasses, you’re not fully protecting your eyes and eyelids. Sunglasses usually have gaps along the sides, and the UV rays can reach your eyes through them. You can minimize that risk, though, if you also wear a hat with at least a three-inch-wide brim.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer that affects the eyelids. It most commonly occurs on the lower eyelid, which gets the most consistent sun exposure, but it can also develop in the corners of the eye or under the eyebrows. BCC usually doesn’t spread to other parts of the body, but it most certainly can spread to the eye itself. Sunglasses together with a hat can help prevent BCC from forming.

Eat healthy and stay hydrated

What you eat and drink can directly affect your eye function and health.

There are a number of foods containing nutrients that improve your eyesight and prevent long-term vision problems. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants known to help resist the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.

Adding foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc can help if you already have symptoms of AMD, slowing or preventing the progression of symptoms.

In addition, during the summer, you’re more likely to become dehydrated, which can lead to drying of the eyes. Serious dehydration makes it more difficult for the body to produce tears, leading to symptoms of dry eye, such as redness, grittiness, and itchiness.

By drinking plenty of water every day, you can prevent and even reverse many of the negative effects of dehydration, including providing enough fluid for normal eye function.

Want to learn more about how to protect your eyes this summer? Retina Specialists can help. Call any of our offices to schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists.