Caring for Your Eyes During the Summer Months
Gina Lynem-Walker
| 3 min read
By Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker, M.D., associate medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
There are more than 2.5 million eye injuries in the United States each year, but protective eyewear can prevent most of them.
Summer means eyes are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, smoke particles, bacteria and pathogens in water and more. These can damage and injure the eyes.
The importance of UV safety and sunglasses/eyeglasses that have UV protection
The sun’s UV rays can burn the surface of eyes as it does skin, called photokeratitis, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). The condition, caused by too much exposure to UV rays, can cause:
- Blurriness
- Headache
- Pain
- Redness
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Tearing
Wearing sunglasses and using broad-brimmed hats will help protect eyes, especially as sunlight reflects off water, sand and reflective surfaces. Sunglasses should provide 100% UV or UV400 protection and block both UV-A and UV-B rays, according to the AAO.
Clouds don’t block UV light, so wearing sunglasses on cloudy days is important. Avoid looking directly at the sun, which is dangerous for eye health.
Contact lens health in water
For those who wear contact lenses, they need to know the dangers of exposing the contacts to water, from tap water to pool water to lakes. Water can hold bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that contact lenses can trap against the eye. Even pool chemicals cannot kill all pathogens. These bacteria and pathogens can cause damage to the eye and even blindness.
Wearing contact lenses while swimming or showering can increase risk of:
- Eye infections
- Eye irritation from lenses sticking to the eyes
- Dry eye syndrome
- Eye inflammation
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal ulcers
Remove contacts before showering or swimming. Contact lens wearers can consider wearing goggles or prescription goggles in the water to protect their eyes.
For general contact lens health, wearers should wash their hands before touching or removing their contacts. Only use saline solution to disinfect and store lenses, and replace the contact case at least every three months, according to the AAO.
Individuals who suffer from red, painful, watery eyes, sensitivity to light or have blurry vision or discharge should remove contact lenses and contact their eye doctor.
Protecting the eyes from smoke and during yardwork
Summer can mean bonfires and yardwork, both of which can pose dangers to the eye.
Weed whacking, mowing, and trimming can send debris into the air, and into eyes. Power tools, hand tools and chemicals also pose danger to eyes. Wearing American National Standards Institute-approved protective eyewear while doing work at home can reduce the risk of eye injury by 90%, according to the AAO.
Smoke from bonfires or cigarettes can carry particles that can cause a burning sensation, dry eyes, irritation and inflammation. Using artificial tears and wearing protective eyewear can help. For irritated eyes, a cool compress and avoiding smoke can provide relief.
For anyone experiencing pain, blurriness, extreme redness or sensitivity to light, they should contact their eye doctor.
Dr. Gina Lynem-Walker, M.D., is an associate medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more information and health tips visit AHealthierMichigan.org.
Image: Getty Images
