5 Tips For Healthy Summer Eyesin Boston, MA
With summer in full swing, it’s important to stay safe. Whether it be wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle, using bug spray when out in the woods or, most importantly, seeking protection from the sun! Since summer is about enjoying the outdoors – fishing, barbecuing, going to the beach – keep the following five tips on protecting your eyes in mind when you are soaking up the sun.
Use Sunglasses
When it comes to sunglass shopping, chances are you look for the right frame for your face, the best color to compliment your skin tone and of course, the price tag. However, instead of making sure you have THE look while shopping for shades, consider the real reason why we wear sunglasses. Sunglasses are worn to protect your eyes from the harmful damages caused by UVA and UVB rays, so it’s important to find a pair that gives you 100% protection from both. You don’t have to break the bank in order to fight off the UV index demons; just make sure your hand-picked pair has a 100 percent UV protection sticker.
Wear a hat
Ophthalmologists across the board strongly suggest wearing a hat to give your face and eyes those extra inches of shade. A three-inch wide brimmed hat is best for maintaining a constant shadow and if worn with sunglasses, you have double the protection and a continual decrease in exposure.
Eye cream products
The skin surrounding your eyes is extremely thin and delicate and if hats or sunglasses aren’t your thing while you lay out on the beach, consider applying a heavy-duty SPF eye cream. Shisheido’s Sun Protection eye cream has an SPF of 34 and is sold at any Sephora. If your skin is sensitive, try Clinique’s Targeted Protection stick. It has an SPF of 45 and helps protect against the burning effects of both UVA and UVB rays.
Medication awareness
If you take any medications on a daily basis, you may want to ask your doctor the next time you have a visit, if any are photosensitive. With the amount of medications available there is quite a few that are common that the FDA has listed off, for example, Antibiotics, Antihistamines, Contraceptives, Sulfonylureas, Thiazide diuretics, and Trycyclic antidepressants. Be sure to cover up all areas of exposed skin by wearing a long sleeve shirt and pants, sneakers with socks or even a towel around the back of your neck. You want to be careful of those hard to reach areas that go unthought of and uncovered when being in direct sunlight.
Stay hydrated!
Staying hydrated seems to be the number one rule for almost any ailment. When you think of drinking water, eye health probably isn’t the first to come to mind. Being in the sun and not drinking an adequate amount of water can make you burn faster, and can actually cause drying
of your eyes. Sun exposure along with dry or windy conditions can lead to dry eye syndrome due to an insufficient amount of tears. Helping your body preserve H2O is crucial in protecting yourself against those hot, sunny, summer days.
Our experienced team at the Nielsen Eye Center is devoted to making sure you stay protected from the damaging daylight! One of the most important actions you can take, regardless of the season, is having an annual eye exam. Contact us today to schedule yours. We look forward to seeing you!
