Protecting Your Eyes in the Sun

Now that the summer months are slowly creeping up on us, it has never been more important to be cautious when relaxing in the heat. Similar to your skin, your eyes can be easily damaged when in contact with the sun for long periods of time. As there is no such thing as ‘eye sun lotion’, we have created a short guide for you, giving you some top tips on how to protect your eyes in the sun:

1. Wear Sunglasses

When shopping for the hottest sunglasses trends this summer, make sure that you look for a pair that transmits no more than one per cent of ultraviolet radiation – these are the sun rays that are proven to damage your eyes. Make sure that you wear sunglasses at all times when in contact with the sun – this will not only help you see better but also provide a layer of protection.

2. Use Protective Contact Lenses

The contact lenses you wear could potentially already be providing protection for your eyes. When choosing your contact lenses this summer, make sure that you ensure that they provide UV blockage. This will help provide a greater level of protection.

3. Never Look Directly in the Sun

Your eye retina has no pain receptors, so when looking directly at the sun you may not feel any pain - but this doesn’t mean that the long-term damage is not being done. Too much visible light can cause damage to your retina in the future and can cause a condition called solar retinitis – resulting in your eyes feeling sore and causing you severe discomfort when faced with bright lights. We recommend that you never look directly into the sun, even when you are wearing protective eyewear.

4. Wear a Brimmed Hat

One half of the battle in relation to UV eye protection is limiting the amount of UV radiation that actually hits the eyes from above or below your sunglasses. Choosing a wide-brimmed hat or a cap will help to restrict the amount of contact that is able to contact your eyes directly.

5. Remember That Sun Can Pass Through Clouds

It is important to remember that even when the sun is not at its blinding state, it is still important to protect your eyes. Although sometimes the clouds may dampen the weather and affect the temperature, UV rays are still able to pass through. So to be safe, make sure you wear your protective eyewear at all times.