Memorial Day: 4 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Safe This Summer
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 better 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, people are understandably focused on making sure they’ve properly applied sunscreen to protect their skin. When it comes to their eyes, they might assume a 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) can pose 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 want to make sure your eyes are safe. While many cheaper glasses may seem like they’re keeping the sun at bay, it can be difficult to determine how much UV light they’re actually blocking. 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)2. 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 astronauts, can shield your eyes and prevent your glasses from cracking or shattering3. 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 water4..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:Brown/Amber Tint
Brown lenses enhance contrast, which is great if you’re going to be outside and need to accurately judge distances.
Functional and stylish, these round oversized glasses by Ray-Ban seamlessly blend a high-fashion design with 100% UV-protected lenses!
Gray Lenses:
Perhaps the most familiar sunglass tint, gray lenses are great for general outdoor purposes, since they help fight eye fatigue, allow for true color perception, and reduce glare
If you’re planning on spending the long weekend playing outdoor sports, these athletic frames from Nike are the perfect choice for protecting your eyes.
Green lenses:
Like gray lenses, green lenses are an excellent choice for general outdoor activities, with the added bonus of providing good contrast for low-light conditions.
These slick aviator-inspired glasses from Lacoste update the recognizable style with a new design that is equal parts classic and cutting-edge. SHOP EYECONIC
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://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25230-corneal-flash-burns
3.https://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/polycarb.htm
4. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/contact-lens-risks#:~:text=Remove%20your%20contact%20lenses%20before,by%20your%20eye%20care%20professional.