Eyes are sensitive and require a lot of care to prevent the onset of problems at an early age. These vital organs are essential for us to see, which makes it important to care for them and ensure that they are protected, especially against the sun.
Did you know that the sun can be dangerous to your eyes? The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause degenerative conditions, making it necessary to undergo a cataract operation, corneal surgery, reconstructive procedures and more depending on the nature of the problem you have. However, by protecting your eyes, you could prevent the formation of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems.
Let’s take a closer look at the steps that you can take to keep your eyes safe when the sun is shining.
Wear sunglasses
Sunglasses offer protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. Ideally, they should be worn whenever you are outdoors, even on cloudy days. Look for sunglasses that specifically state that they block out both UVA and UVB radiation. Wraparound sunglasses offer the best protection because they prevent light from entering the sides of your eyes. However, sunglasses for big heads might be more appropriate if you have a larger face.
When choosing sunglasses, make sure that they are comfortable to wear and that they fit securely on your face and over your ears. If you are planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, choose sunglasses with the highest possible UV protection and replace them every two years because the UV coating can wear off. Moreover, for those who have recently gone under laser surgery for eyes, it can be especially important to be alert about UV protection. Post-surgery, eyes can be more sensitive to sunlight, making high-quality sunglasses an important part of your outdoor gear.
How to choose the perfect pair of sunglasses
Although it is incredibly important to wear sunglasses, choosing the right pair can be a challenge. But always go for pieces from top quality brands, and don’t worry about the price as it is fairly easy to find discounted ray ban sunglasses and the like online these days. When it comes to design though, there are so many different styles to choose from, and finding the perfect shape for your face can seem like a huge task at first. Fortunately, there are a few steps that you can take to protect your eyes while still looking stylish.
Always look for a pair that fits well and does not slide down your nose. Accordingly, you must consider the shape of your face when selecting sunglasses. If you have a round face, look for frames that are square or rectangular. If you have an oval face, any shape will work well. Alternatively, if you have a triangular or heart-shaped face, a pair that are bulky on the top and tapered at the bottom will flatter your features.
In addition to this, if you’re already wearing a prescription backed corrective lenses, like contacts for example, then you’ll have to ensure that the sunglass doesn’t prove to be hindrance. This can happen in a few ways. One, where the glass itself acts as a barrier by making your vision blurry and reducing the clarity. This can happen as a result of lack of compatibility, vis-a-vis a special coating on the contacts not mixing well with the sunglass having mirrored lenses, to highlight one example. Then, another way would be fogging. Sunglasses may fog up when worn over contact lenses, particularly in humid conditions or when transitioning between extreme temperatures (e.g., going from a cold environment to a warm one). This can impair vision and be irritating. In such a scenario, the ideal solution would be to wear contacts that doesn’t impede your sight if you were to wear sunglasses or an alternate idea would be to ensure that the sunglass itself isn’t causing any issues.
The other side of this coin would be beauty. If you are an individual who is concerned about how the outfit flows well together, then it makes sense to be prudent about what goes on, on your eyes as well. In that regard, you can wear a color coded lens, like blue contacts, if you feel that it goes well with your outfit while you’re out roaming on the beach, for instance. Also in this way, you can wear a sunglass that adheres to your sense of beauty while at the same time, ensuring that it doesn’t impede your vision.
Wear a hat
Along with wearing sunglasses, it is also important to protect your eyes from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a shady front. You can wear a baseball cap for a more youthful look. This will help deflect the sun’s rays from your eyes and keep them safe from UV damage. Fortunately, many different types of hats can be worn to protect your eyes from the sun so do shop around to find a style that you like.
Keep cool
When the weather is hot, it is important to take steps to keep cool. If you get too hot, your eyes can become dry and uncomfortable. One way to regulate your body temperature is to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Remember to take a water bottle with you when out and about to keep hydrated.
Additionally, try to stay in the shade as much as possible. If you can, try to avoid being outdoors during the peak hours of UV radiation, which are generally between 10 am and 4 pm.
However, if you are going to be outdoors for an extended period, it is important to wear sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. Be sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including the delicate skins of your eyelids, eyebrows, and under eyes. If you have sensitive skin, you can buy specially designed sun creams for the face that will not irritate any problem areas.
You should also dress in clothes that will help you stay cool. Shorts, t-shirts and light-colored clothing will all help to keep you cooler in the sun. Clothes made from cotton and linen are usually best.
And finally, don’t forget to take breaks from being in the sun. Find a shady spot and sit down for a few minutes every hour or so. This will help to prevent your body from overheating and will give you a chance to rest your eyes.
Protecting your eyes from the sun is vital
Over the years, we’ve seen how the sun can cause a variety of issues for our eyes. In this article, we’ve outlined some easy ways that you can protect your eyes from the sun. We hope you will take these precautions to help safeguard your vision for years to come.