Spending time outside in the summer months is often enjoyable. Although the sun feels warm on your skin, it can damage the eyes if they aren’t properly protected. Fortunately, there are a few tips for eye protection that you can use whether you spend a few minutes outdoors or the entire day.
Proper UV Protection
An easy way to protect your eyes from the sun in the summer months is to wear sunglasses. Make sure the glasses that you get offer UV protection as some are more for decoration while you’re outside instead of protecting the eyes. There are sunglasses that you can purchase that are inexpensive that offer the eye protection that you need from UVA and UVB rays. The UVB rays can sometimes cause cataracts to develop as well as skin cancer underneath the lids of the eyes.
Protect Your Eyes While Swimming
When you’re swimming, use goggles in the water. The chemicals that are in the pool can irritate your eyes. You should also wear goggles in the ocean or in a natural body of water to prevent any kind of contaminant from getting into your eyes. The reflection of the sun on the water can also damage your eyes if they are not protected. Try not to rub your eyes, especially if you have been working outside in your yard or if you’ve been mowing your yard.
Wear a Hat
Wear a hat while you’re outside if you don’t want to wear sunglasses all the time. A hat is a good option to consider even if you have sunglasses on because it offers more protection for the eyes. If you already have health issues involving your eyes, such as cataracts, then you want to keep your face as shaded as possible. The brim of the hat should be at least three inches wide to offer the maximum protection.
Final thoughts
The summer season is one when you might spend more time outside cleaning with soap and water and taking part in water activities. Avoid rubbing your eyes after washing your car or while playing with bubbles and other solutions that have products in them that could irritate the eyes. Wear goggles while you’re spray painting or using paint from a can. If you spend time at the beach, wear sunglasses to keep sand and dirt from entering your eyes. These materials can scratch the surface of your eye and can result in a painful healing process. Drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated so that tears will develop. Your tears can help to wash away any dirt or debris that gets in your eyes that you might not know about.
