Your eyes can get sunburnt too: here’s what you can do to protect them

Protect your eyes this summer with simple habits like wearing sunglasses, staying hydrated, and maintaining proper hygiene.

Summer is often associated with sunscreen, hats, and hydration, but very few people consider eye protection. The eyes are similar in some ways to the skin, and are sensitive to harmful sunlight, intense heat, dust and other environmental irritants. Overexposure to ultraviolet rays may also cause photokeratitis, otherwise known as “sunburn”, of the eyes and may lead to redness and watering of the eyes, sensitivity to light, and a gritty feeling.

Protection of the eyes starts with something as simple as the use of high-quality sunglasses which can block 100% of ultraviolet radiations (UV) to the eyes. This is a great start when it comes to eye protection. Wide-brimmed hats or caps can add to the protection, especially in the peak sunlight hours when exposure to sunlight is highest. For people who spend long hours outdoors, these are not just preventive measures, but essential to maintain eye health.

Summer activities for kids tend to come with their own risks. Swimming is preferred by many to cool down, but when the pool is chlorinated, it can cause eye irritation. This causes redness, burning as well as itching. Well-fitted swimming goggles help in protecting the eyes from chlorine as well as other irritants.

Since chlorine, dust, and sweat can irritate the eyes, this may cause people to rub their eyes frequently, and while this may seem harmless, it has the potential to cause infections as well minor abrasions on the cornea. Rinsing the eyes with clean water or using preservative-free lubricant drops is always a safer way to respond to any irritation pertaining to the eyes.

Drinking plenty of water during the summer is important to retain eye health as well as hydration in general. Dehydration is to blame for any sort of dryness or discomfort in the eye, this makes the eyes feel tired and strained. Drinking enough fluids will also help in maintaining tear production at the right levels, in order to keep the eyes moist and secure.

Apart from hydration, diet also plays a significant role in the overall working of the eyes. Foods that are good for eye health include: