During the summer, we all see a lot of reminders telling us to protect our eyes. Usually, we assume this means simply putting on our sunglasses when we go to Edgewater Park on a bright, sunny day, but there are actually other, important ways to protect your eyes. Keep these tips in mind:

Yes, we’ll remind you once more: Wear your sunglasses. As we just mentioned, wearing sunglasses is a given when it comes to summer eye protection. You wear sunscreen to protect your skin; think of sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes. Never go outside without them, even on cloudy days! Make sure to look for sunglasses that offer 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays to completely protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation. There are many choices at a variety of price points.

Go one step further and wear a hat. Escaping Northeast Ohio for a week this summer to head to a hot and sunny beach? As you know, the UV rays get stronger when you head south and sunglasses may not be enough to fully protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes—consider the gap on the sides of sunglasses. A hat with a wide brim worn with your sunglasses will offer complete protection for your eyes and your eyelids.  Make no mistake though, you don’t need to be below the Mason Dixon to suffer damage.  Even around Northeast Ohio its importat to protect those peepers from sun damage.

If you plan to swim, plan to wear goggles. Kids and adults alike sometimes dislike wearing goggles, but if you will be spending a significant amount of time swimming, goggles are a must. They can protect your eyes from too much exposure to chlorine in a pool or other contaminants that might be found in the ocean or in a lake. If you swim without goggles, you may catch yourself rubbing your eyes after a long time in the water—this is a sign that goggles would offer both protection and comfort.

Consider wearing appropriate eye protection. A tiny grain of sand or piece of dust can cause significant discomfort and a potential corneal abrasion. If you are doing landscaping or yard work, or working on an outdoor building or woodworking project, consider the benefits of protecting your eyes with appropriate eye protection glasses or face shields.

Have a great summer and remember to protect your eyes! Contact the team at LASIK Vision Centers of Cleveland with any questions.