As the summer weather approaches, you’ll likely be spending more time outdoors. Summer can be hard on your eyes– increasing irritation from allergies, dry eye, heat, glare, sweat, sunscreen, chlorine or salt water. Outdoor activities also increase your risk of eye injuries. Here are some eye care tips to help you protect your eyes during the summer season:
Drink Lots of Water
Drinking plenty of water is essential to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration, which can cause dry eye and other eye problems. Drinking enough water can also help to flush out toxins and maintain overall eye health.
Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a must-have accessory during summers to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Look for sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection and have polarized lenses to reduce glare. Choose wrap-around frames or large lenses that provide ample coverage to shield your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
Wear Protective Eyewear
If you participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, biking, or sports, wear protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries. This is also important if you are doing outdoor work such as mowing grass or pruning trees. Wear goggles or sunglasses with shatterproof lenses to protect your eyes from flying debris, dust, and harmful chemicals.
Use Eye Drops
The summer weather can cause dryness and irritation in your eyes due to heat, wind, and even air conditioning. Use lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. If you wear contact lenses, use drops designed specifically for contact lens wearers. Talk to your eye doctor about the best eye drops for you.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes
During summers, we tend to rub our eyes more often due to the heat and sweat. However, this can spread infections and cause irritation, redness, and discomfort. Avoid touching your eyes as much as possible and wash your hands frequently.
Take Breaks from Screens
Even though we tend to spend more time outdoors and on vacation in the summer, we still use our phones and computers regularly. Prolonged screen time can cause eye strain, headaches, and other eye problems. Take frequent breaks from your screens and practice the 20-20-20 rule, where you take a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Come See Us!
In short, it’s important to care for your eyes all year long. If you’ve been putting off getting an eye exam, don’t wait another day! Book an appointment to visit our expert eye doctors at Tyson Eye.
Tyson Eye is regarded as one of the premier eye care centers in Southwest Florida. Our surgeons and doctors have helped thousands of people enjoy better vision and have consistently introduced break-through technology to the area. We are committed to excellence by delivering modern technology with old-fashioned concern. We’re here to help you see better! Call us at 239-542-2020 today or request an appointment.
