Summer vacation is a time for outdoor adventures, road trips, beach days and family fun. While many people remember to pack sunscreen and stay hydrated, they often overlook important eye protection. Unfortunately, when your eyes are exposed to sunlight, water, wind, and outdoor activities, your vision can be at risk if you don’t take the right precautions. Whatever your plans are this summer, following a few simple tips can help to protect your vision while away from home.
Always Wear Sunglasses
One of the most important ways to protect your eyes while on summer vacation is to wear quality sunglasses. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the eyes, and extended exposure can cause conditions such as cataracts, growths on the eye, macular degeneration, sunburn of the eyes and even some types of cancer. Always look for sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
A Wide-Brimmed Hat Can Offer Extra Protection
Sunglasses are essential, but when you wear them along with a wide-brimmed hat, they become even more effective. A wide-brimmed hat can significantly reduce the amount of UV rays and glare that reach your eyes. This extra layer of protection is especially helpful when at the beach, on a boat, taking a tour, hiking or enjoying outdoor sporting events.
Protect your Eyes Around Water
Many people don’t realize how much water reflects sunlight, which increases UV exposure and glare to the eyes. Polarized sunglasses can help reduce the glare and eye strain around pools, lakes or oceans. If you wear contact lenses, try to avoid wearing them in the water whenever possible, as the lenses can absorb contaminated water and trap harmful chemicals or germs against the eyes.
Staying Hydrated can Keep your Eyes More Comfortable
Intense summer heat can lead to dehydration, which may make dry eye symptoms worse. When your body gets dehydrated, it can make your eyes feel dry, irritated, gritty or fatigued. Summer vacation often means extended periods of time outdoors, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps support healthy tear production and overall eye comfort.
Keep Chlorine and Salt Water Out of your Eyes
Swimming pools and ocean water can irritate the eyes. Chlorine may strip away the natural tear film that protects the eye’s surface, while salt water can cause stinging and discomfort. Swim goggles can help protect your eyes from irritation, bacteria and other contaminants. If your eyes become irritated after swimming, rinse them with clean water or lubricating eye drops.
Wear Protective Eyewear During Summer Activities
Summer vacation is often filled with activities that can increase the risk of eye injuries. Sports such as baseball, tennis, pickleball and even cycling can pose hazards to your vision. Protective eyewear can help prevent injuries caused by balls and other sports equipment, flying debris, collisions or dust and dirt.
Give your Eyes a Break During Road Trips
Road trips during summer vacation often mean long hours behind the wheel, which can cause eye fatigue, especially when staring at the road for extended periods of time. Try to reduce eye strain by taking regular breaks from driving, blinking frequently, wearing sunglasses to reduce glare, and using artificial tears of your eyes get too dry.
Be Aware of Too Much Air Conditioning
Air conditioning keeps us comfortable when the temperatures rise, but too much can affect your eyes. The constant flow of air conditioning in a hotel room, airplane or car can cause the moisture on the surface of the eye to evaporate more quickly, which causes dry eyes. Turing down the A/C, using lubricating drops and staying hydrated can all help keep your eyes comfortable.
Schedule an Eye Exam Before Your Summer Vacation
If you are planning a big trip, consider scheduling an eye exam beforehand so we can ensure your prescription is current and identify any issues that may affect your comfort or safety while traveling. During your exam, we can also discuss concerns such as contact lens care, avoiding dry eyes, UV protection or vision changes.
The team at Family Vision Development Center is here to take care of any issues before your trip, so you can enjoy your vacation more while keeping your eyes protected and comfortable. Contact us to schedule an appointment by calling 630-862-2020.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.