Ladies and Gentlemen—summer is (almost) officially here! Since the warm weather is back in season, I think it’s important we talk about how to keep your eyes healthy in the summer.
Everyone knows the importance of protecting your skin in the bright sun and in the tanning bed, but most people forget all about their eyes.
Just about the easiest thing you can do to keep your eyes healthy is to protect them from the sun, particularly UV rays. Exposure to UV rays can make you more likely to develop a whole slew of problems with your eyes. Everyone knows that constantly squinting in bright light can give you wrinkles, but did you know that with over-exposure to UV rays you’re more likely to develop cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer? Serious business!
Keep in mind, it’s not just the bright light of the sun that’s damaging, it’s the UV rays. That means that the same risks to your eyes exist in a tanning bed!
For more information on different threats that UV exposure pose to your eyes, check out the FDAs website here.
The most important thing you can do to make sure your eyes are as healthy and protected as possible?
Quality sunglasses! The American Optometric Association recommends sunglasses that “block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.”1
Wide-brimmed hats that prevent the sun from getting in your eyes are also helpful.
Another tip to remember during the hot summer months (and during the dry winter months, and the allergy-ridden fall and spring months—all the months, really) is drink more water! Water is great for your whole body, and your eyes are no exception. Make sure you take in enough fluids to ensure that your eyes are performing at their peak level!
PS: Love those sunglasses? Stay tuned for more info about them!
Want to HEAR someone talk about protecting your eyes? Here’s a podcast! : http://www.podfeed.net/episode/Podcast+Protect+Your+Eyes+from+Sun+Damage/3021922
Want to READ more about UV protection? Try this article from allaboutvision:
