5 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Safe This Summer

Whether you’re out at the pool or spending quality time outdoors with family and friends, it’s important to remember to protect your eyes — for optimum enjoyment! Follow our top 5 tips to keep your eyes safe this summer:

1. Wear sunglasses with UV protection - did you know we can make your sunglasses with your prescription too?

Sunglasses are important to sport year round, but they are essential during the summer months when you’re outdoors the most. Be sure you are wearing sunglasses that are marked 100% Ultraviolet (UV) protection.This full protection helps block harmful UV rays and keep your eyes healthy. Even during hazy days, the sun’s rays can pass through, so don’t let a dreary day fool you!

2. Don’t sunburn your eyes!

Photokeratitis is a painful eye condition that occurs when your eye is exposed to UV rays. This can happen when sunlight shines off the water, snow, sand, or other highly reflective surfaces into your eyes. These UV rays burn the surface of your eye and can cause pain, redness, blurriness, and even temporary vision loss. To prevent the condition, wear 100% UV protection sunglasses when outdoors and the correct eye protection when working with UV light.

3. Keep your eyes hydrated just like your body.

Your eyes can become irritated with heat and dry winds. Dry eyes can develop when the summer environment affects the tear film of the eye, drying out your eye’s surface.

Dry eye is a common eye condition but if you wear contact lenses or suffer from seasonal allergies, you’re at a higher risk of experiencing it. Protect your eyes by keeping your eyes moist and refreshed and visit your local AEC O.D. for more focused and effective eye care protection.

4.  Use best swimming practices.

Any body of water can be contaminated with bacteria and microorganisms. Wearing contact lenses while swimming is risky because the organisms can get underneath the contacts and cause an infection.

Using goggles while underwater can reduce contamination and irritation. But contaminated water can still seep in. Flush your eyes with recommended eye care to reduce your risk of infection.

5. Keep up your regular eye appointments!

It’s important to get regular eye exams throughout the year to keep your eyes healthy long-term. Don’t skip out during the summer! Regular exams can help identify issues before they get worse.