Taking care of your eyes is a job that requires your attention all year round. However, each different season brings on different challenges.
It is good to remind yourself of what you should focus on when the season changes. Keep reading to learn some top eye care tips to follow this summer!
Be Mindful of Your Air Conditioning Use
It gets hot in the summer. In order to stay comfortable, you likely use a fan or an air conditioning unit in your home.
Keeping cool is important, but it can also dry your eyes, making them itchy and irritated. You don’t need to completely sacrifice your comfort to keep your eyes healthy.
Fan and A/C usage are perfectly fine, but try to keep them from blowing directly on your face. Use fans when possible, and rely on the A/C only when you need to.
It can be a bit of a balancing act, but your eyes will be better for it if you stick to it!
Hydration is Key
Many people don’t drink enough water as it is. In the summer heat, it is more important than ever to remember.
On average, you should drink about fifteen and a half cups of water per day if you are a man and eleven and a half cups of water per day if you are a woman. This includes water you get from food and other drinks.
Your body may need more or less. Like the rest of your body, your eyes need access to that water.
Without enough of it, your tears will not be able to moisturize your cornea adequately. The tears soothe your eyes and protect against scratches and infections.
Remember to adjust how much water you are drinking as you need to. Exercise, illness, pregnancy, and heat can make you more dehydrated.
Protect Your Eyes with Sunglasses and Shade
Summer is a great time to spend outdoors. The sunny weather is pleasant, but it can be dangerous for your eyes.
Sunlight has ultraviolet radiation, which is known to damage the eye. Chronic exposure can cause cataracts to form and problems with your retina.
Sunglasses are a must for the summer. However, you have to get the right kind of sunglasses.
Make sure they have 100% protection against UV rays. Some may say 100% protected against UVA and UVB rays, which is also a good choice.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors for shade will further protect your vision. If you can, try to avoid spending too much time outside while it is sunny.
Remember to Blink
These days it’s easier to forget than you might think to blink frequently. Smartphones and computer screens are big distractions.
When we use them, we can forget to blink as often as we would when not using technology. Remember to put down your device every once in a while to refresh your eyes.
Do you want to learn more ways you can protect your eyes this summer? Schedule an appointment at Advanced Eye Care in New Lenox, IL, today!
