What are the best eyecare tips for summer?

June is an exciting time as summer officially begins. For many, summer break will already have started, and you’ll be getting ready to jet off on vacation to the beach, camping, or starting your road trip! The main star of summer – literally – is the sun, but it’s also wise to exercise a degree of caution.

We’ve put together our top 5 eyecare tips for summer for you and your family so you can make it a break to remember while keeping your eyes happy, healthy and safe!

1. UV protection

While sunshine is the giver of life, it’s important to also be aware that its rays are a form of radiation. Along their way, the most harmful rays are absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, but some filter through – specifically UVA and UVB – and can damage our skin and eyes.

It may come as a surprise, but around 80% of our lifetime exposure to UV rays happens before we are 18 years old, so protecting children is crucial, especially when it comes to their eyes. Children’s eyes have larger pupils and clearer lenses, making them more vulnerable to UV damage.

As your local family eye doctor, we always handpick and stock high-quality, 100% UV-protection sunglasses. We can help you find a pair in our office for yourself and the kids or you can buy them for yourself online. Oversized sunglasses and wraparound-style frames in particular provide greater overall protection by covering a larger area of your face and eyes.

2. Poolside necessities

If you’re lucky enough to be going away to relax on a beach or by the pool, we strongly advise wearing swimming goggles while you’re in the water. Prescription or non-prescription goggles can protect your eyes from infection and help stop irritation from chemicals such as chlorine.

If you’re a contact lens wearer we also advise not wearing them when in the water to avoid irritation and the possibility of infection, unless you’re wearing a pair of goggles on top while swimming. It is possible to swim in contact lenses if you wear a pair of well-fitting goggles.

3. Invest in hats for the family

Wearing a hat is a simple yet extremely effective way of keeping the sun off your face and out of your eyes. The wider the brim, the better. The shade reduces glare, making your time in the sun more comfortable and protecting you from those pesky UV rays.

4. Keeping your hands clean

Over the last few years, we’ve all learnt the importance of handwashing! Due to how often you unconsciously touch your face and eyes, keeping your hands clean is important. Eye irritation from sand is not a comfortable experience, so take extra care at the beach to keep your hands sand-free and away from your eyes and eyewear.

5. Stay hydrated

During the warmer summer months, we lose a lot more water from our bodies than we might realize. Dehydration goes hand-in-hand with dryness and irritation, so drinking plenty of water is key. Dry, windy, and hot environments can quickly dehydrate your eyes, so keeping a small bottle of eye drops handy can make a big difference.

Contact our optometrist – Quincy, IL

Want more summer eyecare tips for the family, a new pair of sunglasses, or need an eye exam? Get in touch with your trusted optometrist in Quincy, IL, [1] and start your summer the right way!