Wear shades to look cool and protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation during hot summer months
dubai — Outdoor activities during the hot summer months can take a toll on your eyes. It is imperative that you take appropriate steps to protect your body, including the eyes.
Dr Jay Anto Kalliath, specialist ophthalmology, NMC Speciality Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said: “This summer, there’s sunscreen lotion for your skin, but what is there to protect your eyes?”
Just like your skin needs to be protected from ultraviolet radiation (UVR), your eyes need it, too. “UVR comes from the sun and may also be reflected off surfaces such as water or sand,” said Dr Jay, adding that wearing goggles was important in the summer.
He said if you have not gone swimming in a few months, the first dip in the pool can be “awful” on the eyes. “The chlorine, designed to protect you from exposure to germs, has the potential to hurt your eyes. The simplest solution for protection is to wear goggles every time you go for a swim in a pool. This also applies to swimming in the ocean or other natural bodies of water, as they contain other contaminants that may hurt your eyes.”
Washing hands and avoiding rubbing the eyes is the simplest way to keep the eyes “shining in summer”. “Studies indicate that the best way to protect yourself from the spread of communicable disease is to simply wash your hands on a regular basis. This practice is crucial to avoid contracting eye-related conditions such as conjunctivitis. You often develop conjunctivitis after touching something that someone else has touched after they rubbed their eyes,” explained Dr Jay.
He also said that even if you wear sunglasses every time you go outside, you are not offering complete UVR protection to your eyes and eyelids. “Sunglasses usually have gaps along the sides, where UVR exposure occurs. While you wear your sunglasses, minimise the risk and add a hat with a brim at least three inches wide. Consis
Too many people realise in adulthood that they should have thought of protecting their eyes when they were young. It is never too early to start with your children.”
Dr Jay Anto Kalliath, specialist ophthalmology, NMC Speciality Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Almost everyone gets affected with the dry eye condition, especially those in the age group of 50 and above and those who have long working hours or thyroid gland issues.”
Dr Sanjay Vodela, specialist ophthalmologist, Medeor Hospital Dubai
tent use of hats and sunglasses significantly decreases your UVR exposure,” he said.
“Too many people realise in adulthood that they should have thought of protecting their eyes when they were young. It is never too early to start with your children,” said the doctor.
The World Health Organisation
notes that as much as 80 per cent of a person’s lifetime UVR exposure occurs prior to the age of 18. “That is because children are far more likely to spend time playing outside, particularly during the warmer months. Thankfully, the solution is much the same as it is for adults: Apply sunscreen regularly,” said Dr Jay.
Dry eye condition
Dr Sanjay Vodela, specialist ophthalmologist, Medeor Hospital Dubai, said the dry eye condition is common during the summer season, mainly due to lifestyle, the hot climate of the UAE and “also due to some underlying systemic conditions”.
Symptoms include: Burning and stinging, photophobia (sensitivity to light), redness and congestion of eye, inability to concentrate and feeling of a foreign body in the eye.
“Almost everyone gets affected with this condition, especially those in the age group of 50 and above and those who have long working hours or thyroid gland issues,” said Dr Sanjay.
Steps such as drinking at least one-and-a-half litres of water daily; taking a one-hour break from work; using good preservative lubricants for the eye; consuming Omega 3 fatty acids orally; avoiding intake of too much carbs; and ensuring good sleep at night can help the eyes, he said.