Keep your eyes safe in summer
As like the awful impact on our skin, summer can be a trouble for our eyes too. With the increasing temperature, eye allergies increase many folds causing severe itching, redness and much discomfort in eyes. Ultraviolet (UV) rays in summer can damage our unprotected eyes. Dry eyes, conjunctivitis are also common in summer. But with little precaution, we can have fun in the sun with no trouble with our eyes.
Eye allergies, usually secondary to pollen, dust, wind and air pollutants cause itching, redness, watering and swelling of the eyes. Avoiding allergy is the best option. By washing eyes frequently and wearing a sunglass can help protected.
Sunlight is another known enemy of our eyes. Frequent exposure to bright sunlight this summer may increase the risk of developing cataracts, damage retina and growths on the eye, including cancer.
The longer the exposure to bright light, the greater the risk is. Excessive exposure to UV light reflected off sand, snow, water or pavement can damage the eye's front surface.
Like our skin, our eyes never recover from UV exposure. So, sunglasses are as essential as sunblock. For summer the ideal sunglasses are those with a wrap around frame. It keeps the sun and the dust out and the cool in. Look for sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 to 100 per cent of both UVA and UVB radiation and screen out 75 to 90 per cent of visible light. In addition to sunglasses, wearing a broad-brimmed hat help protect our eyes and skin around it.
Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside. It is especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense. Remember, the sun's rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime.
Everyone is at risk, including children. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's UV rays are the strongest.
It is not only the skin that dries out in summer but even our eyes. Lubricating drops are for those experiencing dry eye is helpful. Ideally the drops should be preservative free. The drops keep the eyes comfortable and quiet. In addition, drink plenty of water throughout the day, it protects your eyes from puffiness and swelling and splash cool water on your eyes at regular intervals, this relaxes stressed eyes and keeps your eyes hydrated.
Eye infections are also seen with increased frequency — styes, bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are more common in summer.
Maintaining good eye hygiene with repeated eye washing with clean water is important. Do not share hand kerchiefs or towels and avoid handshaking. Antibiotic eye drops and eye ointments prescribed by an ophthalmologist work well for this ailment.
Bright, sunny days and trips to the seaside are all part of summer fun. But the trouble is they can put your eyes at risk. Simple and inexpensive precaution can safeguard your eyes in summer.
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