How To Protect Your Eyes This Summer

Eye irritations that demand medical attention rise dramatically in the summer as people emerge from their winter hibernation and start spending much more time outdoors. Foreign particles, allergens, pool chemicals and ultraviolet radiation send thousands of people to their doctors or emergency rooms complaining of eye pain, watery eyes, burning eyes and vision problems.

Don't spend your summer inside because you neglected to protect your eyes. Use these tips to keep them healthy and undamaged throughout this fun-in-the-sun time of year.

Tips to Protect Your Eyes This Summer

1.Avoid burning your corneas while attending all-day events by wearing high-quality prescription sunglasses that block UV rays. Excessive sunlight may accelerate development of cataracts as you age and cause progressive loss of vision. Don't forget the kids--children need the same kind of protection from all-day UV rays as adults do.

2. Because summer makes grass and weeds grow, we mow, mow and mow some more! Ophthalmologists strongly recommend wearing goggles (not sunglasses) while mowing the yard to prevent flying twigs, rocks and other debris from lodging in the eyes and possibly lacerating the cornea.

3. Always wear snugly fitting goggles when swimming in chlorinated pools. Even the slightest chemical imbalance of pool water can make your eyes sting, redden and water for several days after exposure. In addition, unprotected eyes are vulnerable to bacteria not eliminated by chlorinated water. Pink eye and conjunctivitis are the two most common eye infections treated by doctors in the summer due to unclean pool water.

4. Putting eye black under the eyes of kids playing baseball, soccer and other summer sports will help reduce glare but won't prevent damaging UV rays from entering the cornea. Provide active children with protective eyewear that also offers adequate protection from UV rays.

5. Never rub your eyes with unwashed hands. Painful styes may develop or you could get a more serious eye infection such as fungal or bacterial keratitis from rubbing your eyes with contaminated fingers.

For more information about keeping your eyes safe this summer, contact Total Eyecare today on %CLIENT_PHONE%.