If you’re looking to safeguard your health this summer, don’t forget about your eyes. One thing you’ll want to be wary of is dry eye syndrome, which is caused by the summer season’s hot and dry air and can lead to pain and discomfort.
If you’re hitting the beach or playing outdoor sports, you may also run the risk of getting eye infections or similar injuries. More importantly, though, you need to remember that your eyes are especially vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays, which can fully penetrate them and slowly cause damage over time. That can increase your risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and eye cancer—all of which can cause blindness. Since many also spend increased time outdoors during this season, more eye injuries are recorded during the summer months.
Fortunately, you don’t need to let the heat and sun ruin your summer experiences. Simple, cost-effective methods can easily help your eyes stay healthy and comfortable, and The Lancet reports that 90% of all cases of vision loss are preventable. Want to know what you can do to achieve healthy, summer-ready vision? Prioritize your eye health and try these tips to get started.
Shield your eyes
One of the best and most direct ways you can prevent sun- and impact-related eye damage this summer is by donning sunglasses. Make sure they provide 100% UV protection for the best effect. Opting for sturdy, oversized frames will also help protect more of the eyes and the surrounding skin from things like dirt, sand, and sports balls from entering or hitting them. You can even buy sunglasses based on the type of summer outings you like best. The iconic Ray-Ban Aviators can be great for casual city tours, the likes of Costa’s Kailano are specifically designed for fishing and beach trips, and stylish designer shades like Versace’s Biggie will fit right in with your attire for summery destination weddings. Since you can choose your perfect pair from today’s vast catalogs using features like virtual try-ons and free shipping, there’s no reason why you can’t nab sunglasses that look great while protecting you from the sun and other foreign objects.
Leverage additional coverage
Even though you’re wearing sunglasses, you may still want to take extra measures to protect your eyes from all angles. That’s especially true if you need to head outdoors at noon when UV levels are at their peak: the sun will still hit your eyes because it’s shining directly overhead. That’s why you’ll want to leverage the additional coverage provided by the many sun hats available on the market today.
Of course, heading to H&M to buy a cheap baseball cap could do the trick. However, you may prefer wide-brimmed models like the Furtalk Foldable Beach Sun Hat. This will protect both your eyes and the skin at the back of your neck, perfect for hitting two birds with one stone—on top of being made of that lightweight straw material so fitting for summery aesthetics. Like sunglasses, you can buy sun hats and style them in different ways, too. That means that whether you choose to pair that straw hat with a flowy summer dress or your everyday cap with a crop top and shorts, there’s a hat out there for you that will help shield you from the sun without compromising on your personal style.
Ensure maximum hydration
Proper hydration is key to preventing dry eye syndrome, which you may be more vulnerable to if you have seasonal allergies or wear contact lenses. It’s always great to start by drinking eight glasses of water a day, but you can also buy eye drops to directly replenish your eyes’ tear film.
Though there are plenty of options available, those with essential moisturizing properties work best. One example is Santen Asia’s Cationorm, which uses cationic nanoemulsion technology to specifically target dry eyes caused by contact lens wear and environmental conditions. Because this emulsion uses a more advanced formula comprising both aqueous and oily phases, its effects will last for longer no matter what you’re doing this summer—unlike typical over-the-counter eye drops that evaporate quickly.
Apply sunscreen carefully
To avoid pain, discomfort, and—in the worst-case scenario—infections, you’ll want to apply sunscreen away from your eyes. Though we’ve noted that this product is vital for preparing your skin for the summer, it can thoroughly irritate your eyes once it comes into contact with them. That said, avoid the eyelids and under eyes when slapping sunscreen on. You may also want to consider using a physical sunscreen like the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ rather than a chemical one, as it will stick to your skin better and won’t run into your eyes. If you’d still like to add skin protection to this area, consider using dedicated eye creams with SPF protection, like Supergoop!’s Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40.
When preparing for the summer, go beyond sunscreen. Try these tips to prioritize your eye health and enjoy your outings with healthy, summer-ready vision.
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