5 ways to keep your eyes safe and healthy this summer

The sun, wind and increased physical activity during summer puts your eyes at higher risk for problems. Here are 5 ways to keep your eyes healthy and safe.

1.) Avoid the "burn".¬†Many people do not realize that our eyes can get "sunburned" and this condition is called photokeratitis. A very painful condition, it causes redness and blurriness and sometimes even temporary vision loss. For this reason, it is very important to wear sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. Wearing a broad-rimmed hat can add an additional layer of protection for your eyes. 2.) Yes, there is "swimmer's eye".¬†While most people are familiar with swimmer's ear, there is also swimmer's eye. Spending an abundance of time in chlorinated water can affect your eyes' natural tear film and this results in red, gritty-feeling eyes. Wearing swim goggles and using over-the-counter artificial tear drops after exiting the pool can help reduce this problem. 3.) Hot, dry and windy = dry eye.¬†Spending time in the hot summer sun can dry out your eyes, so wear wrap-around sunglasses to keep wind away from your eyes' surface and use preservative-free artificial tears to help maintain moisture. 4.) Be smart with eye safety.¬†Whether you are participating in summer sports like baseball or keeping up with the yard work, it is important to always wear the proper protective eyewear to keep your eyes safe. Doctors see more eye injuries during warm weather months. 5.) Kick the habit.¬†Getting into healthy summer habits would also include quitting smoking. Not only does smoking increase your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration, it also contributes to dry eye, cataracts and macular degeneration.*