The arrival of summer means a greater daily exposure to sunlight. We all know how to protect our skin from the sun and we are aware of the hazards arising from exposure to the sun without protection, but what about our eyes?
Our eyes are very sensitive to the sun but we are not normally conscious of the need to protect them against the sun’s rays. The sun’s rays and more specifically the ultraviolet (UV) rays that impact our eyes when they are unprotected can have rapid or delayed consequences. Excessive exposure to UV rays can cause damage to the eyelids, connective tissue, the cornea or the retina. The cumulative effect of exposure to UV rays contributes to the appearance of early cataracts and macular degeneration among other consequences.
In fact, according to the World Health Organization, 20% of diagnosed cases of cataracts are related to prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
What can we do to look after our eyesight?
The simplest thing is to wear good sunglasses that filter UV rays with an approved filter. Buying cheap sunglasses is not recommended, it is better to buy sunglasses with a certificate of approval. This protection should start from an early age and children should be encouraged to wear sunglasses. The use of good sunglasses should not be seen as simply fashion, the health of our eyes must be our first concern. In addition to sunglasses we can wear hats, caps, etc. that will contribute to reducing exposure to harmful UV rays.
People who use contact lenses should not wear them on the beach or in the pool. There are many external agents in both places that can cause infections that could be potentially serious, such as chlorine or salt, as well as microorganisms. If you do not want to wear your glasses on the beach or at the swimming pool it is best to buy prescription sunglasses, so you can enjoy swimming without worrying about not being able to see. It is also good to wear swimming or diving goggles, as it is not advisable to open your eyes under water, and prescription versions of these goggles can be bought.
Air conditioning is often over used during the summer, which leads to the generation of a dry environment that causes tears to evaporate from the eye more quickly. To avoid this, you can place containers with water or a humidifier in the house to moisten the environment and avoid the discomfort of dry eyes. In the car, we frequently direct the air conditioning at our faces, but it is important that the outlets do not blow into our eyes as this can cause irritation and dryness.
Some of the symptoms of not protecting your eyes correctly are itchy eyes, a feeling of grit in your eyes or dryness and red eyes. The use of lubricating/moisturising drops (artificial tears) is recommended to help reduce these symptoms, preferably those without preservatives, although the best thing to do if you have any of these symptoms is to go to an ophthalmologist, who will assess the situation and give advice on how to improve your visual health.