Summer is coming, which means many of us are spending more time outdoors to enjoy the warm weather. While you may be eager to soak up the sun while you can, remember that too much sun exposure can be harmful to your body. We already know to use sunscreen to protect our skin, but what about our eyes?  Here are your biggest summer eye health questions answered!

Is it important to wear goggles in the pool?

Goggles allow you to see better underwater and they also protect the eyes from chlorine and other chemicals in the water that may be irritating. If you wear contact lenses you’ll want to discard any contact lenses after swimming activities because lenses may harbor bacteria that increase your risk for severe eye infections.

Do you need to wear sunglasses even if it’s cloudy?

Yes! Clouds do not completely block the sun’s rays, so you are still at risk for UV exposure and sunburns. Sunlight is most intense during mid-day. Remember that your eyes are especially vulnerable to harmful UV light at dawn and dusk because of the direct angle of incoming light; it is important to wear sunglasses as much as possible, no matter the time of day or weather. Note that water, sand, and snow can reflect sunlight back towards your eyes as well, so sunglasses will protect your eyes even if you are wearing a hat. The higher your altitude, the more exposed you are to UV light, too.

Do contact lenses provide protection against UV rays?

Several brands of contact lenses are built with UV protection. Keep in mind, however, that contact lenses only cover the center of the eye and not the surrounding areas, such as the conjunctiva or eyelids. It is still best to wear sunglasses. Depending on your environment, wearing contact lenses for too long outdoors may irritate your eyes more than usual, especially if you are in a dry, hot, and/or windy area.

Can your eyes get sunburned?

Yes, eyes can be ‘sunburned’ in a condition called photokeratitis. This commonly leads to urgent medical visits because of severe eye pain and an abrupt onset of symptoms. Luckily, it is typically self-limiting and resolves without permanent blindness, but any significant eye problem should always be evaluated by an eye doctor to properly diagnose and treat the issue.

What is the standard UV protection to look for when buying sunglasses?

The sunlight that reaches Earth’s surface is made up of two types of harmful rays: UV-A and UV-B. You should choose sunglasses that provide 100 percent protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. You may also see the designation UV 400, which blocks light under 400 nanometers (including UVA and UVB). Polarized sunglasses may help reduce glare and reflections, especially if you spend a lot of time on the water.

What are symptoms of eye allergies and the best way to treat them?

Itching, swelling, redness, irritation, tearing, and blurry vision are all symptoms of eye allergies. If you know you have seasonal eye allergies and have been examined before, you can use over-the-counter, preservative-free, artificial tear eye drops found at most drug stores. Cool compresses are helpful to reduce swelling and the urge to itch. Some over-the-counter allergy medications exist, but you should always be examined by a professional first to determine the best way to treat your allergies.

Can long-term exposure to the sun damage your eyes?

Yes! The most common eye problems related to sun exposure are cataracts and macular degeneration. While cataracts can be removed with surgery, macular degeneration is permanent and often quite debilitating. In addition, the skin around the eye is susceptible to skin cancer, so it is important to wear sun protection whenever possible. In contrast, even brief sungazing can cause permanent vision impairment, so never look directly at the sun!

Should you be wearing protective eyewear when doing outdoor work like mowing the lawn?

Always consider protective eyewear when you are working in an environment that puts you at risk for accidents or projectiles. Search for wrap-around eyewear that protects the eyes from the sides as well.

Is it necessary to protect your eyes when playing outdoor sports?

We recommend protective eyewear for high-risk sports because of the potential for sight-threatening injuries or even concussions. Contact sports such as basketball are especially prone to eye injuries because of the nature of body movements.

Should my children get their eyes checked before they go back to school in the fall?

Yes! Children should have an eye exam prior to their first year of school to ensure they have the vision they need to succeed in the classroom. Pediatric eye exams not only assess visual acuity, but also evaluate binocular vision skills and eye health to make sure your child is able to manage the increasing visual demands of each academic year.

Be sure to keep yours and your children’s eyes safe when outdoors.  And be sure to check with us at Advanced Eyecare Optometry when its time for your next vision check or if you have questions about summer eye health  the right eye protection for you and your family.

For more helpful eye care and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.

Source: University of Chicago Medicine