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Keep your eyes safe

4 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Safe This Summer

Posted Jun 27, 2023 | Eye Health

Summer has arrived, and with it, some of our favorite activities are ramping up. Our lifestyles and vacations have us migrating outdoors but, before we get too excited, it’s important to consider how we can properly protect our eyes from the sun during the hottest months of the year.

It's easy to forget our eyes when it comes to summertime protection. After all: most people are understandably focused on making sure they’ve properly applied sunscreen to protect their skin, and when it comes to their eyes, they might assume that a cheap pair of gas station sunglasses are more than enough to keep their vision safe.

But did you know that the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV) are also a serious threat to your eyes? Apart from the discomfort sunlight can cause, UV rays can also play a role in a number of serious eye problems, like age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and more.

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time outdoors this summer, you’ll want to make sure your eyes are safe. While many cheap glasses might seem like they’re keeping the sun at bay, it can be difficult to determine how much UV light they’re actually blocking. To be sure, make sure your sunglasses are labelled as providing 99 to 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB.1 When it comes to protecting your eyes, it’s good to know what you’re paying for.



Here's a few tips for how to keep your eyes safe this summer:

1. Protect Your Eyes with 100% UV Protection

Your time outside can quickly lead to an increased risk of exposure to dangerous UVA and UVB rays, which can cause a corneal flash burn (a sunburn to the eye surface). You’re probably spending a fair amount of time applying sunscreen, so why not make sure that you’re doing the same for your eyes by wearing your favorite pair of shades this summer? All of Eyeconic’s sunglasses are 100% UV proof, so you can rest assured knowing you’re getting the protection you need.

2. Choose Sport-Friendly Frames

Whether you’re using the lawn edger or jumping into a pick-up game of basketball, it’s important to remember your frames can do a whole lot more than make you look good. Lenses made of polycarbonate material, originally designed for cockpits in fighter planes, can shield your eyes and prevent your glasses from cracking or shattering. A well-fitting pair of polycarbonate lenses are ideal for sports and other high-impact activities. Polycarbonate lenses are automatically included in all prescription glasses on Eyeconic. Click here to learn more about all of our lens enhancements 

3. Be Conscious About Wearing Contacts While Swimming

Wearing contact lenses to the pool? If you’re planning on going for a swim, be sure to remove your contacts before doing so. The FDA does not recommend wearing contact lenses while swimming, since this can lead to an increased risk of eye infection due to bacteria in the water2.  

4. Pick the Right Shades for Your Journey

Driving can take a toll on your eyes and tire you out. A quality pair of sunglasses can keep your eyes perked up and focused on the road. You’ll want to look for shades with the characteristics below:

Light tint:

Allows more light to enter your eyes so they don’t have to strain.


Try these: Calvin Klein CK22515S - These glasses will catch your eyes with their stylish round shape. This frame comes in four compelling hues—Burgundy Havana, Vintage Tortoise, Slate Grey, and black—that are sure to excite the fashion-loving consumer.

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Polarized lenses:

These cut down on glare.


Try these: Nike Adrenaline P EV1114F - Take on epic waves in these sunglasses, which feature a lightweight frame perfect for outdoor sports.

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Gray or green lenses:

Different colors allow certain wavelengths of light to pass through; gray and green create the least amount of distortion.



Try these: Lacoste L251S - A gender neutral aviator in stunning metal, these glasses are a great fit for someone looking for a classic style with a modern touch.

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Information received through VSP Vision Care's social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

1. https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/protecting-your-eyes-suns-uv-light
2. 
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/contact-lens-risks#:~:text=Remove%20your%20contact%20lenses%20before,by%20your%20eye%20care%20professional.