The definition and thrill of the summer months bring with it a lot more than we bargain for. From scorching heat to incessant sweating to uncomfortable rashes and prickly heat, the list is never-ending. But, the impact of the summer doesn’t limit to the skin only.
While you can slather on sunscreen on your skin, what about the eyes? The sun and UV rays can cause more than just temporary discomfort. In fact, prolonged (and unprotected) exposure to the heat can leave lasting effects on your vision and eye health.
At Eye-Q Eye Hospital, we believe in proactive eye health, which starts with Eye care awareness and prevention. This guide will map out all the summer care tips you need to follow for taking care of your eyes and vision from the heat and UV during summer months.
What Are the Risks Associated with Eyes, Vision and Summer?
During the summer months, the intensity of the sunlight increases significantly, especially during the peak afternoon hours, between 12:00 PM and 03:00 PM. During this period, not just your skin but even your eyes are exposed to the higher dose of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
The prolonged exposure of the UV rays, in turn, lead to a variety of eye problems including:
- Photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye)
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Pinguecula and pterygium (abnormal tissue growth)
- Dry eyes
- Eye allergies
People that thus spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer months, especially children, athletes and outdoor workers, are at heightened risks of affecting their eyes and vision. This also highlights the importance of proper eye care strategies during the summer.
Summer Care Tips to Protect Your Eyes and Vision During Summers
If you tend to spend 4-5 hours at a stretch outdoors, under direct sunlight, during the summer months, the key is to implement the following tips to protect your eyes and vision.
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Opt for UV-Protected Sunglasses
Surprisingly, as “basic” as it sounds, this is one of the most common things most people tend to avoid and overlook. Buying and wearing “cheaper” sunglasses might create an illusion that your eyes are protected but the UV rays are strong enough to penetrate through the lenses.
So, when you are shopping for sunglasses for the peak summer months, ensure they offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. You will come across labels like UV400 protection, which block all rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, thereby protecting the eyes.
Also, a bonus tip when buying UV-protected sunglasses is to go for wrap-around or oversized frames that will cover the areas around your eyes too, providing further protection from side glare and peripheral UV exposure.
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Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat
Besides wearing the UV-protected sunglasses, consider investing in a good-quality wide-brimmed hat too. This contributes to extra shielding, blocking up to 50% more UV radiation from reaching the eyes.
While the hat might seem excessive for every day wear, it is a perfect accessory for beach vacations, trekking expeditions or long outdoor days.
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Don’t Forego Hydration
The sun and the heat produced from it during the summer months are bound to soak up the hydration out of your body through sweat. So, it isn’t surprising that dehydration is one of the most common complications that arise during the summers.
Not just your body and skin, dehydration can take a toll on your eyes and vision too. Lack of proper hydration can lead to dry eye syndrome, leading to irritation, itching and discomfort.
Besides drinking an adequate amount of water, ensure that you are also adding water-rich foods to your diet with cucumber, oranges, watermelon, etc. These add hydration and necessary nutrients and electrolytes that you might lose in the process of excessive sweating.
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Protect the Eyes Against Dust and Allergens
Besides the scorching heat and the damaging exposure to UV rays, summer months also bring dry, dusty winds and pollen, especially in the urban and suburban areas, which increase the risks of eye-related diseases like conjunctivitis (pink eye), eye itching, and allergic reactions.
So, while you are in the process of shielding your eyes against the harsh UV exposure, ensure that you are also wearing protective glasses and goggles, especially in windy and dusty environments. If your eyes feel dry and irritated, use lubricating eye drops to flush out the irritants.
Above all, one of the most important things to do is avoid rubbing your eyes constantly, especially with dirty hands.
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Limit Your Screen Time or Take Precautions
Hot summers often limit our urge to step outside of our homes to explore new activities, thanks to the heat outside. However, this, in turn, increases the preference to stay indoors and indulge in activities like binge-watching shows or working from air-conditioned spaces.
With the air already dry, excessive screen time will lead to eye strain, especially when you often forget to blink as often as you should due to having your “eyes glued” to the screen.
To protect your eyes, follow the 20-20-20 rule wherein every 20 minutes, you have to look at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. This regulates the vision, preventing further damage to the eyes.
Also, as protective measures, use blue light filters on the screens or use computer glasses. Ensure that you are maintaining a comfortable distance from the screen and not being too close.
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Use Cooling Eye Compress
After a long day out in the sun, your eyes might feel heavy and tired. Feeling that your eyes are burning or irritated is quite common and happens because the dry weather contributes to the dryness inside the eyes.
A cold compress or eye mask can relieve the puffiness, inflammation, and dryness, allowing you to relax and truly feel at peace. You can use a clean cloth soaked in some chilled rose water or use cold tea bags as a compress for the eyes.
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Switch Things In your Diet
What you eat during the summer months will have direct impacts on your health and vision too. There are several nutrients that are amazing for the eyes, especially antioxidants that boost and help combat the adverse impacts of the UV rays.
Some of the nutrients (and foods) to include in your diet are:
- Carrots (rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A)
- Spinach and kale (high in lutein and zeaxanthin)
- Citrus fruits (Vitamin C)
- Nuts and seeds (Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids)
- Watermelon and cucumber (hydration)
The key is to hydrate your body, boost the levels of antioxidants and also include eye health nourishing nutrients for optimal vision.
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Get Regular Eye Check-Ups
Even when you are following all the relevant precautions, our eyes and vision are sensitive. It is one of the reasons why our specialists at Eye-Q Eye Hospitals emphasise on the need for annual eye examination, especially in summer when environmental stressors can silently affect your vision.
Regular checkups help with early detection of UV-related eye diseases. In case you need prescription glasses, that would be recommended to you by the specialists as well.
At Eye-Q Eye Hospitals, our experienced ophthalmologists offer comprehensive summer eye assessments using cutting-edge technology to ensure your eyes stay healthy all year round.
When is the Right Time to See an Eye Specialist Immediately?
If you have the perfect 20/20 vision and you are taking all the relevant precautions as mentioned above, chances are that you might not face emergency complications related to your eye health and vision.
However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, it is advised to consult a specialist immediately:
- Persistent redness, itching, or watering
- Light sensitivity or blurred vision
- Foreign body sensation
- Eye pain or swelling
- Sudden changes in vision
While some of these symptoms might be temporary, you never know what leads to what. In rare cases, some of these symptoms could lead to long-term or permanent damage.
Prioritise Your Vision Year Around with Eye-Q Eye Hospitals!
Your eyes and vision, during the summer, demands extra care, especially because of the heat intensity. We have sorted out some of the most important summer care tips to follow that allow you to enjoy the season without compromising your vision or comfort.
At Eye-Q Eye Hospitals, we are dedicated to keeping your eyes safe and healthy in every season. Whether you’re due for a routine check-up or experiencing summer-related eye discomfort, our team of experienced ophthalmologists and advanced diagnostics are here to help.
For more details, visit our website or call us at +917824001110 to book your consultation.
