We all know to protect our skin with sunscreen but what about our eyes? We can’t apply sunblock, but do you wear a hat or glasses on a regular basis when you are out in the sun? What about on cloudy days? The quick answer is yes, your eyes can get sunburned. Finding the right eye specialist is the key to your treatment success. If you are looking for an Orange County LASIK specialist, look no further than Dr. Ghosheh at Advanced Eye Medical. Read on to learn more about protecting your eyes and other summer vision tips.
A Real Danger
When our eyes have prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays they can become sunburned just as our skin would. Known as photokeratitis, it can cause a burning sensation and blurred vision. An important note: these harmful UV rays come not just from the sun, but also from their reflection on water and sand. Symptoms are temporary and should resolve in 24 to 48 hours, but if you have no relief by then, you should see your eye care professional immediately.
Sunburned eye symptoms include:
- Pain
- Grittiness
- A burning sensation
- Red, watery eyes
- Swollen eyes and/or eye lids
- Blurred vision and a sensitivity to light
- Glare and halos around lights
- Headaches
There are some over-the-counter remedies to care for your sunburned eyes. Expert tips include:
- Wear sunglasses, even indoors, to help manage the light sensitivity issue.
- Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.
- Don’t rub your eyes.
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage the pain, making sure you are following the proper dosage.
- Stop wearing contact lenses until your eyes have returned to normal.
- Use a cool, damp cloth over your eyes to help ease the pain and discomfort.
Just as your skin can become damaged with prolonged sun exposure, your eyes can suffer long-term damage as well. Severe exposure to sunlight can cause a slow deterioration of the cells in your eyes which can lead to cataracts and, in more severe cases, macular degeneration.
Tips to Protect Your Eyes
Just as you protect your skin, there are some tried and true methods to protecting your eyes. Make sure you wear sunglasses that block 100% of the UV rays the sun emits and make sure you also wear a hat. Make sure you really look at the sunglasses you are wearing since not all are made to block 100% of the UV rays. Even on cloudy days, the sun emits UV rays so make sure you wear your hat and sunglasses even when the clouds are out.
If you are an athlete and frequently compete outdoors, you might consider wrap around sunglasses that can protect you from direct and indirect sunlight. You also might want to invest in a pair of goggles for a bit of extra protection. And wearing a wide-brimmed hat will not only help protect your eyes but will also help protect your face and neck from becoming sunburned. You can protect your eyes from the sun and it’s important to remember that your eyes need as much protection as your skin.
Importance of Regular Eye Care
Just like any health checkup, it is important to get your eyes checked regularly. If you suffer from chronic dry eyes, blurry vision, have allergy-affected eyes, or are looking for an Orange County LASIK specialist, visit Dr. Ghosheh and his team at Advanced Eye Medical. Don’t let problems with your vision become a more serious health issue. Schedule your consultation today!