Summer is one of the best times of the year, as it usually brings vacations, outdoor festivals, and afternoons spent lounging at the pool. All of this fun in the sun means you need to protect yourself, and itโs not just sunburns you need to watch out for.
Wear appropriate sunglasses, even when itโs cloudy outside
Sunglasses are probably the first thing you reach for when youโre headed out into the blistering summer sun. This is a good news for your eyes because sunglasses can help protect your them from damaging UV rays. These damaging UV rays can do long-term damage to your vision and increase your chances of developing cataracts. However, there are two important things to remember about wearing sunglasses during the summer.
The first is that not all sunglasses are created equal. You should look for some that are rated โ100% UV protection.โ This means that they block both UVA and UVB light, offering the most sun protection. UV light can damage your eyes even when itโs cloudy, so reach for those sunglasses during the peak sunlight hours even when you think you donโt need them.
Seek shelter during the peak sunlight periods
Even when youโre taking measures to protect yourself, the midday sun in the summer can still pose problems. For example, most people donโt wear sunglasses that offer wraparound protection, and while any sun protection is better than none, most stylish sunglasses still let some UV light enter the area around the eyes.
You donโt have to spend all summer indoors, but you should limit your direct sun exposure during the peak sunlight hours whenever you can. Between 11 AM and 4 PM, try to spend as much time as possible under sun shelters, or take extra precautions until the sun gets lower in the sky.
Protect your face with a hat, and bring one for the kids
Hats are a great option to cover the areas that canโt be protected by your sunglasses, and they offer extra coverage for the sensitive skin on your face as well. Hats also offer important protection for kids, especially since itโs sometimes hard to find sunglasses that fit smaller children well, or that wonโt be uncomfortable on their face.
Use eye protection for work projects
Itโs not all about the sun! Summer is a prime time for yard maintenance and outdoor projects around the home. Anytime youโre working around machinery, there is the potential for debris to fly into your eye and cause damage. As you enjoy the great outdoors this summer and tackle that big project youโve been meaning to get to, use protective eyewear to help prevent any injuries.
If you want to get a head start on keeping your eyes healthy all summer long, schedule an appointment with Florida Eye Specialists. Our practice is home to physicians with decades of experience in many different specialties, all of who have a passion for providing the best eye care available to patients. We have six locations to serve patients throughout Northeast Florida, and we are ready to help you and your eyes get ready for summer.