Summer’s here again. So are all kinds of outdoor fun! Beaches to swim in, mountains to climb, new places to travel to and visit. Having good vision makes outdoor activities more enjoyable, but if you’re wearing contact lenses, extra care is essential for maintaining eye health and minimizing risks for dry eyes and eye infection. Consider the following tips for wearing contacts in the summer.
Wear contacts with built-in UV protection.
The sun is most intense in the summer, and is your UV exposure. In Houston, Texas, for example, UV strength level can reach 10. According to the American Optometric Association, repeated exposure to UV radiation can lead to different kinds of eye damage, such as photokeratitis, cataracts, and macular degeneration. UV-blocking lenses are labeled Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 is more expensive, but provides the highest level of protection, blocking 96% of UVA rays and 100% of UV B rays, while class 2 blocks only 70% UVA radiation and 95% UVB radiation.
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses.
Double the protection and look cool at the same time by wearing ophthalmic quality sunglasses that shields your eyes from damaging UV rays. Sunglasses also provide additional protection from warm summer wind that can trigger dry eye syndrome.
Other ways to minimize dry eye syndrome in the summer include:
*Taking fish oil or foods rich in omega-3, such as salmon and flax seed
*Don’t stay in front of AC or fans that blow directly on your face
*Keep eye lubricants on hand
Wear waterproof sunscreen.
Your eyes are not the only part of your body that require sun protection; the skin, too, needs sunscreen. However, not all lotions are made equal. Hot summer days can make you sweat more than usual, particularly when engaged in outdoor activities. Sweat can wash out sunscreen and may cause the cream to drip to your eyes. Avoid a possible scenario by wearing a waterproof sunscreen when going out.
Goggles if you must.
When people think of summer, one of the first things that comes to mind is the beach or the pool, any body of water where you can take a splash. As a contacts wearer, consider the FDA warning that exposure of contact lenses to any kind of water puts you at risk for irritation and bacterial infection. This includes tap water, hot tubs, pool water, ocean water, and lake water. The Sugarland Eye & Laser Center recommends that you remove your contact lenses before diving into the water, but if you must wear a pair, consider the following eye care options:
*Use daily disposable lens. Remove and discard immediately after swimming. Lubricate your eyes with drops, then put on a new pair.
*Wear googles. They are designed to keep water out of your eyes.
LASIK for Clear Vision
If you want freedom from wearing contact lenses and the hassles and risks associated with their use, consider LASIK. This is a type of refractive laser eye surgery that corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugar Land Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via FDA
Via CLS Spectrum :
are you a Candidate?
find out in 30 seconds
what will it cost me?
get a binding quote now
schedule your lasik!
book for surgery online
