protect-your-eyes-in-summer
  • By EYE Q India
  • March 24, 2018
Eye care tips

You’ve got your sunglasses and sunscreen ready, but that’s not enough for your eyes at least. Did you know, constant sun exposure increases the risk of developing a cataract? And while your skin could protect itself against the harmful UV radiations by producing melanin, eyes have no way of developing similar tolerance!

SO, IT’S BEST YOU FOLLOW THESE 7 EYE CARE TIPS AND TRICKS FROM A LIST OF EXPERTS THIS SUMMER:

  • Check Those Sunglasses Again – For effective eye care in summers, choose sunglasses with caution. The UVR can cause photokeratitis or photo conjunctivitis (more commonly known as ‘snow blindness’) in the short-term. Continual UVR exposure, particularly exposure to UVB rays, may cause cataracts development, pterygium (a non-cancerous growth over the cornea), or skin cancer of the eyelids. So, it’s mandatory that you don’t just buy sunglasses, buy you buy the ones which really offer protection.
  • Do Not Swim Without Goggles – We know you’re dying to take that dip into the pool, but do you know the amount of damage chlorine (designed to protect you from exposure to germs) could do to your vision? A simple eye care exercise would be to wear goggles every time you go swimming. This also applies to swim in the ocean or other natural bodies of water, as they contain other contaminants that may hurt your eyes. A 2008 study revealed that frequent exposure to chlorine negatively affects the integrity of your corneal epithelium. The epithelium provides a layer of protection to your cornea from irritants and pathogens. If that protection is compromised, you have an increased likelihood of corneal abrasion or other eye injuries.
  • Hand Hygiene & Don’t Rub Eyes – Washing hands is like a vaccine to protect you from almost all communicable diseases. This practice is crucial to avoid contracting eye-related conditions such as conjunctivitis. After any eye surgery such as LASIK, cataract surgery or glaucoma shunt surgery, your eyes are more susceptible to infection. A lot of medical groups suggest that you wash your hands thoroughly before you apply any treatments to your eyes, and avoid rubbing your eyes.
  • Wear Hats – Sunglasses usually have gaps along the sides where UVR exposure occurs. While you wear your sunglasses, minimize your risk, and add a hat with a brim at least 3 inches wide. Basal Cell Carcinoma is a form of skin cancer that typically affects the eyelids, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. While it most commonly occurs on the lower eyelid, the area of most frequent exposure, it can also develop in the corners of the eye or under the eyebrows. While BCC does not usually spread to other parts of the body, it can certainly spread to the eye itself.
  • Don’t Let Those Tears Dry – During summer, people are more likely to become dehydrated, which can affect their eyes. Serious dehydration makes it harder for the body to produce tears, leading to dry eye symptoms and other vision problems. Drinking plenty of water each day can prevent and reverse many of the negative effects of dehydration, as well as providing fluid for normal eye function. It’s nothing new, but it’s true. Whatever you eat and drink has an effect on the way you see and it’s not just carrots! There are many foods rich in nutrients that improve your eyesight and help prevent the development of long-term vision problems. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants known to help resist macular degeneration and cataracts. Adding a supplement or foods high in Vitamin C, E and Zinc can assist those with symptoms of age-related macular degeneration. They help slow or prevent the progression of symptoms.
  • Use Eye Drops – It’s always better to use some kind of eye drops to minimize pain or manage other eye problems. This can be especially true for those going through glaucoma surgery recovery. However, you should also consult a qualified ophthalmologist to discuss a chronic need for eye drops. Dry eye symptoms may arise from temporary exposure to contaminants, or they could be a sign of something more serious.
  • Sleep Well – However, your eyes are counting on you to be rested. Researchers have discovered that people who have been awake for as little as 18 hours start to suffer decreased cognition on visual tasks. This might not seem like a big problem until you realize that you need visual acuity to drive safely or attend to potentially dangerous activities like cooking. Additionally, when you are tired, your eyes are more likely to feel dry. This encourages you to rub your eyes to stimulate the lacrimal gland, which increases the likelihood of exposure to irritants and diseases.

Here’s hoping you’d make use of these 7 most important eye care tips and tricks. And do not forget to get regular eye check-ups done.

Happy eyes! And Happy Summers!

 

Also Read- 6 Ways to Treat Eyes with Care this Monsoon