Summertime Eye Safety Tips
Dealing with an eye problem probably isn't on your to-do list this summer. Unfortunately, eye injuries don't stop just because the weather is warm. Following these summer eye tips can help you avoid common summer eye issues.
Wear Your Sunglasses
Sunglasses reduce glare and protect your eyes from windborne dust and dirt. Wearing sunglasses also helps you avoid photokeratitis, a painful type of sunburn that affects the eye.
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light from the sun increases your risk for developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Cataracts cloud your eye's clear lens, making your vision look hazy. Age-related macular degeneration affects vision in the center part of your eye and can cause blurry or distorted central vision or loss of central vision.
Wearing sunglasses improves eye comfort, protects your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, and may reduce your risk for cataracts and AMD. Make sure the sunglasses you choose:
- Block 100% of UVA and UVB Light. Check the tag to make sure the glasses offer complete sun protection.
- Screen Visible Light. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends sunglasses that screen 75% to 95% of visible light.
- Offer Good Vision. Darker isn't necessarily better when it comes to sunglasses lenses. Lenses should be dark enough to shade your eyes without interfering with your vision or making it difficult to correctly identify colors. The AOA notes that gray lenses offer good color recognition.
- Choose Large Frames. Look for sunglasses frames that completely cover your eyes and the skin around your eyes. Consider buying wraparound sunglasses for maximum protection from the sun's rays. Unlike traditional sunglasses, wraparound frames fully cover the tops, sides, and bottoms of your eyes.
Put On a Hat
Wearing a hat with your sunglasses offers increased protection for your eyes. Choose wide-brimmed hats that completely shade the eyes.
Use Safety Glasses and Goggles
Do you spend your weekends trimming hedges, mowing your lawn, or catching up on DIY projects around the house? Without appropriate eye protection, you might experience a serious eye injury.
A sliver of wood, a slender branch, or a blast of airborne sawdust could damage your eye, causing pain and temporary or permanent vision loss. Safety glasses and goggles protect your eyes from airborne debris and stop harsh chemicals in household products from reaching your eyes.
Swim goggles are a good choice if pool or beach time is part of your summer plans. The goggles fit tightly over your eyes, protecting them from the harsh effects of chlorine or salt water.
Consider Prescription Eye Protection Options
Can't find a comfortable pair of sunglasses that fit over your glasses? Your optometrist offers stylish prescription sunglasses that provide clear, sharp vision. Prescription options are are also available for swim goggles and safety goggles.
Drink Up
Summer winds and hot weather may cause more rapid evaporation of tears. Although your eyes constantly produce tears, maximum tear production relies on good hydration levels. If tear production drops due to dehydration, you may develop dry, painful, and red eyes. Drinking fluids throughout the day prevents dehydration, ensuring your body has the water it needs to produce tears.
Don't Swim in Your Contact Lenses
Bacteria, amoebas, viruses, and parasites can grow in any body of water, including lakes, pools, streams, rivers, and the ocean. When you wear contact lenses in the water, microorganisms may become trapped underneath your lenses and cause an infection. Removing your lenses before swimming is a simple way to avoid an eye infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests removing contact lenses as soon as possible if they come in contact with water. Throw out water-contaminated daily-wear contact lenses and thoroughly disinfect other types of lenses before wearing them again.
Whether you have a concern about your eyes or are interested in prescription sunglasses, goggles, or safety glasses, we're here to help you care for your eyes. Contact our office to schedule your appointment with the optometrist.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Health Observances
https://www.aao.org/newsroom/observances
American Optometric Association: Ultraviolet (UV) Protection
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/uv-protection
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Habits: Keeping Water Away from Contact Lenses, 5/27/2025
https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/about/healthy-habits-keeping-water-away-from-contact-lenses.html?
Prevent Blindness: Summer is Coming- What Women Need to Know about Protecting their Eyes