ARE YOUR EYES AT RISK?
Taking care during the summer months will future-proof your vision for the years ahead
We all know we should slather on sun lotion to protect our skin from sunburn, but many of us neglect our eyes during summer. In fact, eyes are 10 times more sensitive to the sun than our skin. Excessive sun exposure can cause irreversible damage to eyesight and can even lead to blindness. Here’s how to keep yours safe…
KNOW THE DANGERS
If your eyes are exposed to too much UV radiation, you could be at an increased risk of conditions including corneal sunburn, skin cancers on your eyelids and around the eyes, cataracts and related progressive vision loss, and macular degeneration. Sunburned eyes can occur when sunlight shines off water, sand and other reflective surfaces into your eyes. UV rays burn the surface of the eye and can cause pain, redness, blurriness, and even temporary vision loss.
CHOOSE SUNGLASSES WISELY
Sunglasses will help protect your eyes, so it’s essential to wear them on both sunny and cloudy days – when UV rays can still cause damage. Worryingly, nearly threequarters of us who wear sunglasses are more concerned about whether shades look good, rather than if they’re safe to wear.* But this vanity could cost us dearly.
‘Look for sunglasses that offer UV400 or 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays,’ says registered optometrist Sarah Farrant.** Avoid tinted glasses, because they can trick your eyes into dilating, allowing more UV light to enter without offering protection, and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
BE SWIM SAVVY
Going for a dip? Contact lenses and water do not mix. Bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and even swimming pools can be contaminated with bacteria and microorganisms that can become trapped between your eye and the contact lens. Remove lenses before swimming to reduce the risk of serious eye infection.
And even if you don’t wear lenses, swimming can cause problems. ‘Chlorine from pools can also cause irritation, so wear well-fitting goggles and use eye drops post-swim to help soothe them,’ says Sarah. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes when using communal areas, such as swimming pools, or if you’re outside and you haven’t washed your hands. Once your hands are clean, splash your eyes with fresh water to reduce irritation.
KEEP MOISTURISED
‘Air humidity plays a huge role in how comfortable our eyes feel, as high humidity can directly dry eyes out,’ Sarah explains. But low humidity can be bad too. ‘The air-conditioned environment on a plane reduces humidity in the air, affecting the quality of your tear film.’ That’s why our eyes feel parched when we disembark.
‘If left untreated, dry eye disease can leave you more vulnerable to infections or cause permanent damage to the surface of the eye,’ Sarah says. ‘Some of the glands in our eyelids, involved in tear production, can be irreversibly damaged too.’
Drink plenty of water and hydrate your eyes with eye drops. Sarah recommends preservative-free drops, such as Thealoz Duo Dry Eye Drops (£13.99, Superdrug). ‘Products containing preservatives have a risk of toxicity, which can lead to inflammation.’
COOL DOWN
Got sore, itchy eyes after a shower? Try soothing them with a cool, damp cloth or cucumber slices. Sarah also advises keeping eye drops in the fridge, to increase their soothing effect.
BE WARY OF SUNSCREEN
We all know that horrible stinging feeling when we get sun lotion in our eyes. Apply sunscreen carefully and slowly around your face – try to avoid your eyes and eyelids. Using a mineralbased sunscreen may help, as they stick to your skin and are less likely to run. If you do get any in your eyes, splash them with fresh water immediately.