During the summer months, the eyes face a number of different hazards, mostly due to the increased time spent in the hot summer sun. In the same way that you protect your skin from the damage that UV rays can cause, your eyes also need to be well-protected in order to prevent any permanent damage from occurring.
Sunglasses
One of the best ways to protect yourself from photo conjunctivitis, burnt corneas and a number of other eye issues is by wearing a pair of sunglasses that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure that the style that you choose rests close to the face, or, even better, wraps around the face, providing the ultimate in eye protection. When it comes to the tint, the darkness of this has no impact on the amount of UV protection that the shades provide, so do not be fooled into thinking that the darker the shades, the more protection you will be receiving.
Wide-Brimmed Hat
Unless your sunglasses are super-sized and literally hug your face, you will still need some additional protection for your eyes. A wide-brimmed hat, worn along with your sunglasses, should give you sufficient protection, but you need to ensure that the brim measures at least three inches.
Swimming Goggles
While the chlorine that is found in swimming pools is there to eradicate any germs, too much exposure to this can end up causing trouble for your eyes. Studies have shown that frequent chlorine exposure has a detrimental impact on the corneal epithelium, which usually protects the cornea from irritants. The best way to avoid this is by wearing a pair of goggles each time you enter a swimming pool, while wearing them in the sea will give your eyes some extra protection from other possible contaminants.
Water Intake
During the summer months, people tend to find themselves feeling dehydrated much more easily, and it will not be long before this dehydration begins to affect the eyes. With this lack of moisture in the body, the tear ducts will not be able to produce a continuous supply of tears, which in turn will lead to dry eye problems, as well as issues with overall vision.
Healthy Diet
The food that you eat can have a huge impact on the health of your eyes, and there are certain foods that you should definitely be eating more of in the summer months. Foods that are high in vitamins C and E, as well as zinc, will protect against macular degeneration, while those that contain zeaxanthin and lutein have been proven to help with the resistance of cataracts. These compounds can be found in a number of different vegetables, including kale, spinach, collard greens and turnip greens, as well as in corn and broccoli, although to a lesser extent.
We all hugely depend on our eyes and vision, meaning that it only makes sense to give this area some extra care during the summer months. By ensuring that they are protected from the outside with sunglasses and a hat, and boosting health from the inside with sufficient water intake and the correct nutrients, you will be able to provide protection to your eyes throughout these warmer months.
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