We all want to get into better shape and improve our health especially when the weather gets hot and days get longer. You will be taking extra care of your skin and keeping yourself hydrated in the summer season. It is also important to take care of eye and vision health when you enjoy the summer. The summer heat also comes with harmful UV rays that your eyes need to be protected from. In the hot weather, keeping your eyes cool is not enough, but you should follow summer eye care tips and take a break from exposure to sunlight and screen light.
In addition to following a healthy diet or reducing light exposure, there are some external measures to take in order to protect your eyes. Here are five health tips in summer to keep your eyes protected:
Use UV Protective Sunglasses and Sun Hat
The UV rays in the light reflecting from the surface like water and snow cause photokeratitis or photo conjunctivitis. The eyes getting exposed to UV rays continuous, especially UVB rays can result in conditions such as pterygium, which is a non-cancerous growth over the cornea, cataracts and skin cancer on the eyelids. UV protective sunglasses is one of the effective eye care tips for preventing exposure to harmful UV rays when you are outdoors under the sun. It is important to always buy sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection. Sunglasses that are not 100% UV protective can lead to even more harmful problems than protecting your eyes. It is also recommended to wear sports sunglasses especially when the weather is overcast or cloudy so that it will prevent UV rays. Wearing a sports sunglass can also help protect you from not being deceived by a cloudy or overcast day.
Wearing a sun hat or visor gives you extra protection from the rays of the sun. Wearing a hat in addition to sunglasses helps minimize the risk of eye diseases like Basal Cell Carcinoma, which is a type of skin cancer that affects the eyelids due to overexposure to UV rays. Parts of the eyes that are frequently exposed to the sunlight such as the lower eyelids, corner of the eye or under the eyebrows are commonly affected with Basal Cell Carcinoma. Wearing a sun hat with at least 3 inches wide brim will help prevent eye diseases caused by overexposure to sunlight.
Avoid midday sun
Exposure to sunlight between 10 am and 3 pm should be avoided whenever possible as the sun is at its peak and the UV rays will be at the maximum at this time. You should wear polarized lenses when driving or if you are cycling, especially during this peak time, as it can help reduce the glare.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration is one of the serious problems that can affect your eyes during the summer. Dehydration can also block your eyes from producing tears, which leads to dry eye symptoms and other severe eye problems. One of the frequently suggested eyes health tips is to drink adequate water to keep the eyes and skin hydrated and protected. As the weather gets hot, you need good air conditioning when staying indoors. It is also important to avoid the direct flow of air to the eyes to keep the eyes hydrated and avoid dry eyes.
Don’t Let Those Tears Dry
In this summer heat, you should ensure that your eye’s surface is prevented from drying out and avoid dry eyes. The tear film of the eyes should be protected from the hot and dry environment by wearing wrap-around glasses that blocks wind from the eye’s surface. Preservative-free artificial tears are also recommended to keep the eyes moist and refreshed.
Protect Eyes from Contact with Skincare Products
We will be using many skincare products like moisturizers and sunscreen lotions to protect our skin from the summer heat. While applying these products you should try to avoid any contact with the eyes as that may cause eye irritation. Proper eye care is essential during summer so you should properly wash your hands with clear water in case your eyes get in contact with skincare products.
Paediatric Eye Specialist, Dr Shalini Jain says that effective eye care is important during summer to prevent common eye infections and disorders. Dr Shalini Jain’s Samyak Eye Care Clinic is the best eye hospital near me providing specialised eye care. As the summer heat has finally set in, it is important to ensure essential protection to your eyes from UV exposure and other dangers of which you may not be aware. The health of your eyes is one of the most important organs of the body that requires special care during the scorching summer heat. It is important to take proper care during the hot weather as it can cause serious eye problems like red-eye, infections, migraines and conjunctivitis.