Seven Summer Eye Health Tips

Summer is here and it may mean barbeques, swimming, and more time spent outside. Although summer may be a great time to take a vacation, we shouldn’t take a break from making sure we practice good eye care habits.

Good eye health is important all year long. Keep reading below for several ways to maintain healthy vision this summer. 
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Wear sunglasses: One of the most important ways to keep your eyes healthy this summer is by wearing sunglasses. Too much sun exposure is linked to an increased risk of eye conditions, such as cataracts. Plus, too much sun can cause sunburn to the eye.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, signs of sunburned eyes include:

• Eye pain
• Redness
• Tearing
• Sensitivity to light
• A gritty feeling in the eye
• Blurred vision

Treat summer eye allergies: Allergies can occur any time of the year, including summer. Summer may bring an increase in certain types of grass or weed. Whatever you are allergic to, it can lead to eye allergy symptoms, such as:

• Redness
• Itching
• Tearing
• Burning

Treat allergy symptoms before they start by using an antihistamine. Be sure to rinse out your eyes when coming in from outside. Wearing sunglasses may also block certain allergens.

Wear swim goggles: Whether you are taking a cool dip in a lake, river or swimming pool, swim goggles are a good idea. Microorganisms live in the water and can lead to an infection. Also, the chlorine in swimming pools and the salt in ocean water can lead to eye irritation.  
Different types of organisms can lead to an infection. Signs of a bacteria infection include:

• Redness
• Discharge from the eye
• Blurred vision
• Eyelid swelling

If you think you have an eye infection, it is best to see an eye doctor. It is better to have things checked out to be sure it is not serious.

Keep your eyes hydrated: Dry eyes can develop any time of the year, but it may occur more often during the summer season. With temperatures climbing, you can develop dehydration easier during the summertime. Plus, air conditioning blowing in your face can also lead to dry eyes. Symptoms of dry eyes can include:

• Sensitivity to light
• Redness
• A scratchy feeling in the eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision

If you are not well-hydrated, it might affect your ability to produce enough tears. Be sure to drink plenty of water daily. If you find your eyes are a bit drier during the summer, consider using eye drops to prevent irritation.

Wear eye protection when needed: Summer is a great time for some do-it-yourself projects, but be sure to wear proper eye protection while you work. According to Johns Hopkins, in the United States, over 2.5 million people sustain an eye injury, and many of those are at home.

Be careful during special events: A summer beach trip, camping, or 4th of July celebrations are a great part of summer fun. Enjoy these activities, but keep eye safety in mind. For example, to prevent a spark from getting into your eyes, do not stand too close to a campfire. Also, don’t try setting off your own fireworks. Leave that to the professionals.

Don’t ignore new vision symptoms: Even if you are busy this summer, do not ignore changes to your vision. If you develop symptoms, such as those below, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

• A sudden decrease in vision
• Seeing halos or flashing lights
• Eye pain that does not go away in a day
• Sustain an eye injury

We hope the above information was helpful to learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy this summer. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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