As summer rolls in, you’re probably lining up a series of exciting activities to enjoy with your dear ones. But while summertime is synonymous with the fun outdoors, the searing heat that characterizes this season presents numerous inherent dangers to our health.
Therefore, it’s imperative to prioritize your physical well-being even as you prepare to usher in summer’s warmth. One way to go about that is by following proper eye care.
This article highlights the five professional tips to keep your eyes safe during summer.
- Wear Sunglasses Whenever Venturing Outdoors
Sunglasses are to the eyes what sunscreens are to the skin. These glasses are particularly invaluable during summertime when the excruciatingly hot conditions can quickly take a toll on your ocular tissues.
But perhaps the most important thing to emphasize here is wearing the correct type of sunglasses professionally approved for summer weather.
One of the key features to consider is sunglass size. Experts recommend oversized shades as they provide extra protection to a relatively large area of the skin surrounding your eyes.
It’s also best to look for sunglasses that offer 100% protection against all ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, including both UVA and UVB rays. Such glasses are particularly recommended for their ability to guard against skin cancer caused by UV rays.
Last but not least, spare a thought for wrap around sunglasses. Wraparound sunglasses are exactly what the name implies – shades designed to fit snugly around the contours of your face. These sunglasses can further reduce the glare penetrating your eyes, which could hamper your vision while spending time outdoors in summer’s bright conditions.
Besides, most wraparound glasses sport a cool and stylish design. They can be an excellent accessory for making an unforgettable fashion statement in summer.
- Stay Hydrated
Hydration is a crucial health message that should be championed regardless of the time or season. However, the message rings more true during summertime.
Unknown to many, ramping up your fluid intake in summer can be incredibly beneficial for your eye health. That’s because the tear film around the eyes usually evaporates faster in hot weather.
The tear film protects the cornea and promotes wound healing after an eye injury. It also maintains eye comfort, thereby ensuring high-quality vision.
Alterations in the composition and stability of the tear film are one of the causes of eye irritation during summer. Besides irritation, insufficient tear film might affect corneal performance and cause blurred vision.
Experts generally cite 3.7 and 2.7 liters as the recommended daily intake (RDI) of fluids for men and women, respectively. Obviously, this amount will increase significantly during summer. However, the idea is to have a water bottle with you whenever you venture outdoors. Remember that you’re already dehydrated by the time you feel thirsty.
Also, note that the RDI generally relates to fluids and not plain water. That means you can supplement water with any rehydrating drink, including fruit juices, smoothies, milk, and herbal drinks. Similarly, cut back on dehydrating and diuretic substances during summer, such as caffeine and alcohol.
- Invest In Eye Drops
Ramping up your daily water intake in summer is highly recommended. But it’s not the only intervention as far as keeping your eyes moisturized.
Another best practice is to lubricate your eyes using eye drops.
As already hinted, summer is synonymous with eye dryness and irritation. These symptoms can quickly degenerate into pain and inflammation in the eyes if they persist long enough without treatment.
The next best method to keep your eyes moisturized in summer and avoid the adverse effects of eye dryness (besides drinking plenty of fluids) is to always have an eye drop handy.
However, remember to use eye drops only upon consulting a qualified ophthalmologist, especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies or frequently wear contact lenses.
Most importantly, be sure to apply the drops according to the doctor’s prescription. That’s the only way to keep your eyes lubricated and eliminate the pain and dryness occasioned by summer’s unforgiving heat.
- Follow Swimming Best Practices
One of the most remarkable ways to combat summer’s excruciating heat is to take a mid-morning or -afternoon dip. No wonder many beaches worldwide typically come alive during summertime.
However, there are certain precautions to take while swimming in summer.
Note that large water bodies (rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.) and even artificial swimming pools are usually contaminated with microorganisms like bacteria during summertime. These organisms can easily penetrate your skin and cause infections.
The risks of infection are remarkably high if you have open lesions. So, be sure to appropriately dress any open wounds before hitting the waves.
Experts also discourage wearing contact lenses while swimming in summer. That’s because the pathogens can easily get caught underneath the contacts, further increasing the risks of infection.
Goggles may be safer than contact lenses to alleviate irritation and reduce contamination. But it’s still prudent to splash your eyes with fresh water whenever you’re out of the pool.
- Eat Healthy
Discussing proper hydration in summer without making significant references to nutrition as a whole is impossible. But perhaps the biggest question to settle here would be – what constitutes a healthy summer diet?
Moisture density is the most fundamental criterion for choosing healthy summer foods. Insist on products that allow you to meet your recommended daily fluid intake. As previously mentioned, these range from smoothies and fruit juices to milk, herbal teas, concoctions, and salads, to mention but a few.
The good news is that most of these foods are reasonably easy to come by during summer. Tomatoes, watermelons, zucchinis, peaches, etc., can be found anywhere during summertime.
The following criterion for selecting healthy summer foods is to check their composition of vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant best known for reversing signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. The vitamin can also accelerate wound healing, hydrate the skin, and guard against UV damage, making it all the more useful during summer. Citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C. Others include tomatoes, strawberries, white potatoes, and bell pepper.
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Omega-3 fatty acids also possess antioxidant and moisturizing properties. There are equally numerous omega-3 sources to add to your diet. The most popular include seafood like salmon and pilchard.
Summary
The above-listed eye care tips are not only helpful during summer. If properly implemented, they can go a long way in improving the health and vitality of your eyes all year round.