Summer is a great time of year to get outside and spend your days in the sun. But it’s also a time of year where you have to be careful about your health.
Keeping healthy during the summer takes more than wearing sunscreen outside. You have to look out for your eye health, too!
Many people forget to care for their eyes and make simple mistakes during the summer. These simple mistakes can harm their vision.
Here are some of the top mistakes people make in the summer when it comes to their ocular health:
Not Wearing Sunglasses
Sunlight can be harmful. Most of us know that UV rays are bad for our skin and we should wear sunscreen when we’re out in the sun.
But it’s also important to protect your eyes from the sun. They can get damaged by UV light. They can even get sunburned like your skin!
So when you go outside this summer, be sure to wear sunglasses. And go for a pair that blocks out at least 99% of UV rays. How do you know if a pair blocks UV rays? They’re usually marked with a sticker.
Not Drinking Enough Water
It’s important to stay hydrated during the summer for lots of reasons. Your eyes should be one of these reasons! Have you thought about what dehydration can do to your eyes?
Your eyes need a lot of moisture, so when you don’t get enough, they can dry out. When you have dry eye, your eyes feel like they’re burning or like they have grit in them.
It isn’t a pleasant experience! So be sure to drink plenty of water and keep your whole body hydrated.
Spending Too Much Time in the Sun
Even when you’re hydrated and wear sunglasses, don’t spend too much time outside. The worst time to be outside during the summer is from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Of course, it’s safe to be outside during this time, but UV exposure is at its highest so you have to be extra careful. Limit how long you spend in direct sunlight when the sun is at its peak in the sky.
Take breaks in the shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat. This keeps the sunlight off your face if you know you’re going to be outside for a while.
Swimming Without Goggles
Lots of people spend time at the pool during the summer to cool off. Swimming can be good for you, but you need to be careful about getting pool water in your eyes.
Chlorine is a harsh chemical that can irritate your eyes when you expose them to pool water. When you swim, be sure to wear goggles. And if you don’t wear goggles, don’t open your eyes underwater.
Rubbing Your Eyes When They Itch
If your eyes do end up irritated because of the sun or chlorine, leave them alone! Rubbing your eyes if they are irritated will only make things worse.
Often, lubricating eye drops or artificial tears can help ease irritation. But one thing that will make your eyes feel worse is rubbing them. Rubbing your eyes usually makes them itch more. Worse, it exposes them to bacteria that can cause an infection. Let your eyes be and they’ll get better on their own.
Want to learn more summer vision tips? Need an eye exam? Contact Ellis Eye in San Franciso, CA today to schedule an appointment!
