Summer Eye Safety Tips

Summer Eye Safety Tips

Despite all the fun they bring, summer activities can be risky for the eyes. Just being exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time is more dangerous than most people think. At the Laser Eye Center, our expert team would like to give you some tips for ensuring your eyes make it safely through this summer and many more to come.

Protecting Your Eyes from the Sun

It is vital to wear sunglasses outside, preferably wraparound styles that protect the sun from entering the sides. When choosing sunglasses, the label must indicate that they offer 100 percent UV protection and block both UV-A and UV-B rays. Exposure to UV rays is dangerous for the eyes, and can contribute to cataracts, growths and cancer. Sunlight exposure is particularly dangerous in conditions where it is reflected off of water, snow and ice. Be sure that children wear sunglasses whenever they are outside as well.

Avoiding the Risk of Summertime Activities

Summer is the most active season for many people, and warm weather activities have their own unique risks. Here are examples of common summertime activities that can be hazardous, and what you should do about them:

  • Beach – If sand gets in the eye, it should be flushed immediately with water. Seek medical help if this does not alleviate the problem.
  • Yard work – Protective lenses made from polycarbonate should be worn to protect the eye from flying debris.
  • Fireworks shows – It is important to stay out of range of ashes and other projectiles; respect the safety barriers in place.
  • Toys – Dart guns and other toys that shoot projectiles can inflict serious eye damage; if you let your children play with these types of toys, it is essential that they wear proper eye protection.

Preventing an Allergic Reaction

During hay fever season, the eyes can become irritated and prone to excessive rubbing, redness and other problems. Individuals with known allergies should use a damp duster indoors to keep pollen and dust at bay, and wear glasses instead of contact lenses; contacts can exacerbate the effects of pollen, dust or other allergens in the eyes. It is also important to remove contacts before swimming, showering and entering hot tubs, to avoid trapping microorganisms in the eye. For more information, please visit our post on ocular allergies.

For your eye safety concerns and other eye-related questions, please call the Laser Eye Center at (800) 80- LASER (52737) to schedule a FREE consultation. Have a great summer!

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