When the weather gets warmer, you know the drill: the days get longer, you spend more time outdoors and you reapply sunscreen more often. But protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays isn't where summer safety ends. Keeping your eyes healthy is just as important as saving your skin from sun damage. You might think you're taking care of your eyes by donning your favorite sunglasses, but there may be a lot more to protecting your peepers than meets the eye. Halifax optometrist Dr. Alphonse Carew offers tips on how to care for your eyes this season.
UV rays
As the ozone layer continues to deplete, there's more and more UV exposure, and that can lead to increased risk for cataracts (an eye disease that could lead to blindness) and other eye problems. Sure, you wear sunglasses, but that may not be enough. "A lot of my patients don't know that if your sunglasses have no protection, you're better off not wearing any," says Carew. "Pupils will naturally constrict in the sun, and allow less sun to get in; in contrast, pupils open wider behind the dark lens, and you can actually do much more damage to your eye by wearing sunglasses."
Look for a sticker on the lens that proclaims that shades protect from both UVA and UVB rays. You don't necessarily have to spend a fortune to great proper shades -- just look for the certification sticker. If you're unsure about whether or not your sunglasses offer proper protection, take them to your optician to get tested for UV blockage - most eye care offices can do the testing now, says Carew. And don't forget the kids: it might be easier to get them into a wide-brimmed hat than sunglasses, but protecting their eyes is just as important as your own.
Allergens
In the winter, people complain about indoor allergens, like dust and animals. In the summer, pollen and other allergens that float in the air irritate eyes. "People can have a heck of a time with their eyes in the summer," says Carew. If you suffer from redness and irritation, Carew advises talking to your pharmacist about some of the new eye drops available over the counter. For chronic or acute sufferers, he says, see your doctor for medicated products, which tend to be better for long-term problems.
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