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Summer Eye Care Tips – How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Safe

Summer Eye Care Tips – How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Safe

Jul 07, 2023

During summer, the weather gets warmer, and days grow longer. It’s a season to improve your health and get into better shape. As you prepare to enjoy the outdoors in the summer, ensure you have a perfect plan for your eyes to keep them healthy. To get tips on keeping your eyes healthy and safe during the summer, visit an optometrist near you.

The scorching heat and blazing sun during the summer can obstruct your vision if left unprotected. Your eyes are susceptible and become vulnerable when subjected to direct sunlight, particularly during the peak hours of the day.

This kind of exposure could cause several problems to your eyes. Yorkdale Eyecare offers UV protection eyeglasses and has an experienced optometrist in North York, Toronto. Once you visit Yorkdale Eyecare, you will find the necessary measures to keep your eyes healthy and safe in the summer.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams in Sun Protection

You should always get frequent eye exams to ensure the slightest change in your vision is detected, and necessary measures are taken. This is especially important if you are regularly out in the sun.

Sun’s harmful UV rays can cause substantial damage to your eyes. The damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays includes cataracts, pterygium, macular degeneration, and photokeratitis. Regular eye exams aid your doctor in detecting any of these problems at an early stage. Earlier detection leads to prompt treatment, thus increasing the effectiveness of the therapy and preventing vision loss.

During regular eye examinations, your eye doctor also uses the opportunity to recommend ways of protecting your eyes from the sun. The recommendations include wearing a hat with a brim and wearing sunglasses with 100% UV rays blocking capabilities. Also, eye doctors advise avoiding outdoors when the UV rays are strongest and using sunscreen on your face frequently.

The Connection Between UV Exposure and Cataracts

Even though the eye requires light to develop images, exposure to excess ambient radiation can be catastrophic, particularly for people aged 40 years and over. Radiation exposure may potentially cause impaired vision and temporary or permanent blindness. Ultraviolet A (UV – A) and Ultraviolet B (UV – B) trigger cataract formation. They are not necessary for sight. UV radiation is even more harmful to children since it can damage their retinas.

A cataract is a condition with a clouding effect on the eye’s clear lens. Naturally, cataracts result from aging. However, chronic sunlight exposure can significantly increase the risk of cataracts. Cataracts cause blurry vision, increased glare, and low color perception.

Necessary Steps to Minimize Risk of Developing Cataracts

The most significant and most crucial step to minimize the risk of developing cataracts is prevention. By protecting your eyes from harmful UV radiation, you significantly minimize your risk of cataracts. Always protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that block 100% UV radiation.

Other tips to protect your eyes include wearing a hat with a large brim to provide shade. Avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours is helpful since the sun’s rays are strongest. Adhering to these few tips significantly reduces your chances of developing cataracts and ensures your eyes are healthy and safe for many years.

Treating Cataracts

If cataracts have already developed, you can have them treated. Cataract surgery includes removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. However, it is advisable to always prioritize prevention since surgery has some risks and is costlier. It’s easier and more cost-effective to wear sunglasses that block 100% UV rays, sunscreen outdoors, avoid the midday sun, and wear a hat with a brim to provide shade for your eyes. You can visit an optometrist near you for better clarification on tips to keep your eyes healthy and safe during the summer.

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