Tips to Protect Your Eyesight This Summer

You probably want to protect your eyes and vision from the rigors of summer sun, activities, and conditions. Take these small precautions to ensure you don't increase your risk for debilitating vision issues or injure your eyes, by protecting and preserving your eyesight. Protect your eyes and sight this summer with these tips.

The most important thing to remember in summer is to protect your eyes from UV rays of the sun, which can be harmful and damaging. Make sure that any sunglasses you buy and wear offer UV protection that is adequate for the time that you spend outdoors. Buy your sunglasses from your optical provider, where you may find shades that block out both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Don't ignore any abnormalities or growths that you see on or around your eyes. These spots are not uncommon among young adults that spend long hours outside. This is a form of sun damage that could lead to cancer, so if you surf, farm, ski, landscape, or enjoy outdoor activities, wear both sunglasses and a brimmed-hat to help protect your eyes.

Think you're in the clear because of cloudy weather? The damaging rays of the sun can still permeate clouds to damage your eyes and compromise your vision. Consider picking up a pair of very-lightly tinted sunglasses that still offer full UV protection, but that won't be difficult to wear on dark or cloudy days.

Did you know that you can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss by looking directly into the sun? This is not only true on bright sunny days, but anytime - even during an eclipse! The result is retinopathy which refers to potentially permanent sun damage to the retinas of your eye.

Chores, sports, and activities that you typically enjoy during the summer are also potentially hazardous to your eyesight. Failure to wear eye protection, like goggles or specialty glasses, during these events could result in an accident and injury. Eye trauma from an injury puts you at a higher risk for other debilitating vision issues, including cataracts.

Eye trauma is not the only thing that puts you at a higher risk of cataracts, too much sun exposure is also a contributing factor. Cataracts are common but require surgery to correct and are a major cause of blindness in this country.

Summer is often the time when seasonal eye allergies rear their ugly head. Seasonal allergies can be triggered by pollen, plants, molds, spores, and weeds that are common this time of year, and may cause your eyes to be red, swollen, irritated, and runny. Talk to your optical provider about drops or medications that may alleviate and prevent symptoms.

Do you live in a dry, arid climate? A hot dry environment can cause you to experience dry eye; dry eye is a medical issue whereas your eyes don't produce enough natural tears to lubricate your eyes. This can be a painful condition that interferes with normal vision. You can prevent dry eyes with soothing medicated eye drops. Any family member or loved one is at risk for these eyesight hazards, at any age. Help children and seniors by offering and providing sunglasses and hats this summer. Learn more about summertime risks by talking with your provider at Fraser Optical. They can offer you quality glasses, sunglasses, and eyewear that not only preserve and protect your sight, but that help you see well and look great year-round.