Keeping Vision Healthy

Summer is just around the corner! Don’t neglect your eye health and safety as the weather gets warm and vacations gear up. Here are several easy ways to promote good eye habits during this Healthy Vision Month and beyond.

Wear sunglasses with full UV protection.

You may know how important it is to wear sunscreen outside, but your skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the sun. UV exposure can increase your chance of early cataract development and macular degeneration.

Not all sunglasses are created equal. Fashion sunglasses may dim the sun’s bright light, but they could still be letting UV rays hit your eyes. Make sure to choose sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection to keep your eyes healthy. And be mindful of the size of your sunglasses, too! Larger, wraparound lenses offer the most protection for the eyes and delicate skin around the eyes.

Protect your eyes inside with screen breaks.

While you may be spending more time outdoors this summer, you may still have plenty of obligations keeping you indoors. Looking at screens for a prolonged period can cause eye strain, fatigue, dry eye, and headaches.

To protect your eyes, take a five-minute break every hour to walk around, stretch, and look away from screens. We recommend using the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, stare at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds to focus your eyes on something besides a screen.

Wear swim goggles, and do not swim with contacts.

When swimming in pools, harsh chemicals that keep the water clean can harm your eyes, while naturally occurring bacteria in lakes and oceans can lead to dangerous infections. Everyone should wear goggles when swimming to protect their eyes.

It’s also essential to remove contact lenses, so no germs get trapped in the eyes. Always take out your contacts when exposing your eyes to water (even in the shower!), but especially when swimming in pools, fresh water, or salt water, where the risk of contracting a sight-threatening infection is even higher.

Wash your hands frequently.

Germs, debris, and allergens can stick to your fingers and transfer to your eyes when you touch your face. Frequently washing your hands keeps your hands clean so your eyes stay comfortable and safe. Always wash your hands before handling contacts, applying eye drops, or touching your face. Good hand hygiene is vital for health—no matter the season!

Book your eye exam before the busy summer!

Summer is full of fun activities like family vacations, summer camps, pool time, sports, and more! With all of the busy activities on your plate, you may forget to schedule eye appointments for yourself and the family. Call us today to get in before the season kicks into full gear—we look forward to seeing you.