Encore Episode: Summer Eye Health

The sun is shining, and you’re ready to hit the beach. Your eyes need to be safe while you have fun in the sun.

Just as you wouldn’t forget sunscreen, be sure to grab your sunglasses before stepping outside. You want something that protects you against UVA and UVB rays. Your eye doctor can test your sunglasses. Eye sunburn can cause discomfort, blurry vision and pain.

Sunglass lenses are often made of impact-resistant plastic. This should protect your eyes from debris that might otherwise penetrate the eye.

Take care of your eyes when swimming. Contact lens wearers must consider how spongy lenses are, making them prone to holding microbes and bacteria against the eye. Avoid severe eye infections by removing contacts before swimming. Use cool, artificial tears to soothe eyes after swimming. If they continue to bother you, see your eye doctor.

If you get something in your eye, flush the eye and give it time to recover. Use clean tap water if you must. If the vision is affected or pain persists beyond one hour, head to your eye doctor.

Listen as Dr. Justin Bazan joins Melanie Cole, MS, to talk about summer eye safety.