The summer season is ready with harmful UV radiations and to dehydrate your body. Between all these, lots of cosmetics available for your skin but do you have an option to protect your eyes? Only Sunglasses are not sufficient to protect your eyes from UV rays. Your eyes have risks to other dangers which you may not be aware of.
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Here are some useful tips worth adapting if you are looking for adequate eye care in summers:
1. Choose Sunglasses with Complete UV Protection
No doubt Sunglasses comes first when it’s about protecting your eyes in summers but buy the ones which really offer protection. If in case your shades are not offering 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays then there are high chances that they may be causing greater harm than benefitting your eyes. Even don’t forget to wear your sunglasses on cloudy days.
Eye Diseases:
Direct connection with UV rays can cause photokeratitis or photo conjunctivitis ( refer to as “snow blindness”). Regular UVR exposure, particularly exposure to UVB rays, may responsible for cataracts development, pterygium (a non-cancerous growth over the cornea) or skin cancer of the eyelids.
2. Wash Hands and Don’t Rub your Eyes
Washing your hands regularly is a healthy habit that offers protection from communicable diseases and becomes essential as the Covid19 affected the world. This practice is crucial to avoid contracting eye-related conditions such as conjunctivitis. Because the risk of conjunctivitis is high when you touch something that someone else has touched after they rubbed their eyes.
Your eyes are more susceptible to infection especially after any eye surgery such as LASIK, cataract surgery or glaucoma shunt surgery. So it is suggested that you wash your hands thoroughly before you apply any treatments to your eyes, and avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible.
3. Always Wear Goggles When Swimming
Sometimes when you dip into the pool you can feel awful in your eyes. Yes, it is Chlorine that has the potential to damage your eyes though it is designed to protect you from exposure to germs. So whenever you go swimming in a pool, ocean or natural water bodies wear goggles to protect your eyes from other contaminants.
Effect on Eyes:
Continuous exposure to chlorine negatively affects the integrity of your corneal epithelium that provides a layer of protection to your cornea from irritants and pathogens. So if the layer is affected by something, you have an increased likelihood of corneal abrasion or other eye injuries.
4. Sanitize Your Hands Frequently
We all know Covid19 affected the whole world badly so sanitization becomes necessary to protect you from this deadly virus. Many studies have proven that Coronavovirus can be entered into your body through eyes and unwillingly many times we touch them with our hands. So, to avoid the risk of Covid19 eye care and sanitization become essential these days.
5. Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthy
Carrot is not the only vegetable that keeps your eyes healthy, there are many foods, vegetables and fruits rich in nutrients that improve your eyesight and help prevent the development of long-term vision problems. So choose your diet wisely, eat the food that is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and zinc.
Additionally, during summers your body remains dehydrated. Which can affect your eyes in many ways. Dehydration makes it harder for the body to produce tears, leading to dry eye symptoms and other vision problems. The solution is to drink plenty of water each day to prevent the negative effects of dehydration, as well as providing fluid for normal eye function. You can also add juices and coconut water to keep your body hydrated.
6. Wear Hats and Avoid Going Outside in Mid Day
Though sunglasses is the preferred choice to save your eyes from UVR. But still, you are not offering complete UVR protection to your eyes and eyelids. The gaps along the sides of sunglasses can be a medium where UVR exposure occurs. For complete protection wear a hat with a brim at least 3 inches wide. Consistent use of hats and sunglasses significantly decreases your UVR exposure.
Whenever possible avoid going outside especially during later mornings and afternoons. Because this time the strength of the sun is at its maximum and UV is at its peak.
7. Protect your Eyes From Dust and Chemicals
Dust, Chemicals and Sand are the environmental threat to your eyes. You should try to protect your eyes during outdoor activities and foreign bodies that can cause abrasions to your eye.
Some jobs such as woodworking or yardwork have a higher risk of corneal injury. Protect your eyes through the use of glasses or other personal protective equipment that shield your face and eyes from potential damage.
8. Prevent Eye Strain/ 20-20-20 Rule
Using Digital Screen for Too long may cause the Eye Strain. Using the 20-20-20 rule can help to prevent this problem. “The rule says that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, a person should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.” Simply take frequent breaks while working for long on computer screens
Alternately, a person can benefit from closing their eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Also, remembering to blink can prevent dry eye by encouraging tear production.
9. Use eye drops
If you are feeling itching or discomfort in your eyes, you need to use some kind of eye drops to minimize pain or manage other eye problems. The eye drops are essential especially for those going through glaucoma surgery recovery.
However, it is suggested to consult a qualified ophthalmologist to discuss a need for eye drops. Dry eye symptoms or allergies may arise from temporary exposure to contaminants, or they could be a sign of something more serious.
10. Sleep Well
We all know the importance of good sleep. The healthy sleep time is 7-8 hours. With a busy lifestyle, You may find it hard to get the sleep you need. However, your eyes are counting on you to be rested.
A night of good sleep keeps away many health problems and helps you to reduce stress. In the same way, it helps you to keep your eyes in good condition.
These 10 tips can help you to protect your eyes this summer. Sometimes, despite your best attempts, if you feel any allergy, Itching or dry eyes symptoms it is suggested to get a check-up with Best Eye Hospital in Delhi or Book your Appointment: