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It’s the peak of summer, and you’re ready to make memories in this warm weather. What can make these months more memorable is retaining your vision, which can be helped by slightly tweaking how you see outside. CEENTA’s eye care specialists recommend the following tips this summer:
Wearing sunglasses outside is a very common practice, especially during the summer months. But did you know that not all sunglasses protect your eyes the same way? While wearing a pair of shades in the sun, make sure your sunglasses are designed with UV protection to shield against the sun’s rays. This distinction is typically labeled on the purchase tag, and darker lenses do not necessarily mean “better protection.”
Summer is a great time to get some work done around the house, like painting, mowing, and yardwork. While doing these tasks, it’s advised to wear protective glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from allergens, chemicals, dirt, and debris that you may come across.
Your eyes use a lot of moisture throughout the day, and this can be affected by hot and humid weather. Dehydration, even in mild cases, can cause blurry vision, dry eye, and irritation that will take you out of those summertime moments. Replenish yourself with water every few hours and increase your intake if you are more active outside.
Many people enjoy swimming to beat the heat, but the water you swim in can have a gradual effect on your eyes. Water from the ocean, lake, or swimming pool can lead to eye irritation to infection if proper precautions are not taken. To mitigate this, wear snug fitting goggles while you’re swimming to block irritants and bacteria from your eyes.
As you spend more time outside, you will most likely sweat more often. Between the oils and salt in your sweat along with any extra dirt that your hands encounter from your activities, you will carry a lot of irritants on your hands that can affect your eyes should you rub them. Take the time to wash your hands more than usual to avoid contaminating your eyes should you accidentally touch them.
Dr. Payal Patel, a CEENTA ophthalmologist who practices out of our Matthews and Monroe offices, summarizes the best ways to protect your eyes. "High summer temperatures, allergens from the air, and bright sunlight can sometimes cause eye problems like dry eye, red eyes, itchy eyes, blurred vision, and even worsening cataracts over time. Good eye hygiene during the summer can go a long way. Artificial tears help rehydrate, cool compresses can calm down itching, and sunglasses with UV protection can keep your eyes safe from the harsh sun."
Summer might be a great time to reconnect with friends, family, and nature, but it’s also a great time to get your eyes checked. This season, schedule with a CEENTA ophthalmologist for routine eye exams, updating your prescription, cataract care, and beyond. To make an appointment with Dr. Patel at our Matthews or Monroe locations, schedule online or sign-up for myCEENTAchart today.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. New patients can make appointments online with our eye doctors in North and South Carolina. Current patients can also make appointments through myCEENTAchart with physicians they have already seen.
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