You’ve no doubt heard about the importance of sunscreen — but did you know that taking care of your eyes in the heat is just as important as protecting your skin?
According to the World Health Organization, there are 15 million people in the world who are blind from cataracts, and for up to 10% of these individuals, the cause of their condition may have been exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to prevent the sun from damaging your eyes. Keep reading to learn how to protect your eyes against the elements this summer. For more eye care tips, check out the best places to buy glasses and contact lenses online.
Protecting your eyes from the sun in the warm weather
From wearing sunglasses to following a balanced diet, there are plenty of ways to protect your eyes in the heat. Here are some science-backed tips for summer eye care.
Wear sunglasses
One of the easiest — and most stylish — ways to take care of your eyes is by wearing sunglasses during the day. When your eyes aren’t protected in the sun, they’re exposed to multiple types of UV rays, which can increase your risk of certain diseases, including photokeratitis and cataracts.
Eat a well-balanced diet
Following a nutritious diet can have benefits for your eye health as well. Specifically, you’ll want to aim for a well-balanced meal plan that includes a variety of antioxidant-rich foods that support eye health.
For example, vitamin C may help lower your risk of developing cataracts. Good sources of this vitamin include raw bell peppers, oranges and carrots. Similarly, vitamin E protects your eyes from free radicals, which can damage and break down the tissue in your eyes. You can find vitamin E in seeds, nuts and sweet potatoes. Finally, vitamin A also supports proper eye function and is found in foods like leafy greens and orange vegetables.
In contrast, there are also foods that aren’t great for your eye health. Sugary drinks and fried foods, for instance, can raise your risk of diabetes and, later, diabetic retinopathy.
Limit screen time
Staring at a laptop or phone screen for too long can irritate your eyes and lead to a condition called eye strain. Common symptoms of eye strain include headaches, light sensitivity, itchy eyes and blurred vision.
Unfortunately, depending on your job, avoiding screen time may not be realistic. However, there are some eye care tactics you can use to limit the effect that digital screens have on your eyes. Notably, the American Optometric Association recommends following the 20-20-20 rule while you’re using electronic screens. This means taking a 20-second break from all screens at least once every 20 minutes to look at an object that’s 20 feet away.
Other strategies to protect your eyes from digital screens include lowering the brightness on your devices, switching to dark mode and wearing blue-light-blocking glasses.
