Taking care of your eyes is always important, but during the summer months, there are some extra precautions you should keep in mind. Whether you are protecting your vision from the sun or avoiding injury during sports, activities around the house or while watching fireworks over the Fourth of July, it’s important to be safe.
“Injuries can occur in the form of blunt force, penetration or perforation injury, thermal exposure, chemical contact and ultraviolet radiation,” says Steven Couch, MD, Washington University oculofacial plastic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. “An estimated 90 percent of all ocular injuries are preventable, with the most important tool being protective eyewear.”
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), there are nearly 2.5 million eye injuries yearly, with over 50,000 people suffering complete vision loss, he adds.
Consistent use of appropriate protective eyewear is vital for protection during projects around the home, in the sun and during activities, Dr. Couch says.
“When I personally see injuries, the common theme is, ‘I wore glasses all day and then forgot for the very last part,’” he says. “Consistency is key to prevention.”
Dr. Couch offers several tips on protecting your eyes during the summer months:
Wear Sunglasses and Goggles For Sun Protection
- Protecting your eye and the surrounding skin from UV light, especially UVA and UVB, is highly important. You can protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with UVA/UVB blockage.
- Start wearing sunglasses early in life because damage from UV light may eventually lead to macular degeneration or cataracts in your later years. Dr. Couch encourages his own young children to always wear sunglasses and make them a regular part of their wardrobe.
- Sunglasses are not just protecting your eyes but also the surrounding skin. Dr. Couch treats patients with eyelid cancer who did not protect their eyes from the sun. As he reminds his patients, we can’t put sunscreen on our eyelids, so we must be vigilant in protecting the area around the eye as well.
- UV protection is also important when you are on the water, not just above the water but also below. Wear goggles with UV protection as well, Dr. Couch says.
Fireworks Safety
- The AAO recommends attending professional fireworks shows rather than personally lighting fireworks.
- If you choose to use fireworks, it is critical that you wear protective eyewear. Nearly half of all people injured by fireworks are bystanders.
- Protective eyewear should have polycarbonate lenses, which are shatterproof, and wrap around to protect your entire eye region.
- Although it’s a natural instinct to look at what is coming toward you when fireworks are set off, it’s best not to look directly at them and avoid the risk of damage.
- Keep children away from fireworks, including sparklers, which can cause eye damage if a spark should hit the eye and can often lead to burns.
Protecting The Eyes During Sports
- Use caution when playing sports in the summer, particularly with any sport involving a ball such as softball or baseball.
- If you wear corrective lenses, such as glasses or contacts, sports goggles can help protect your eyes from both shattered glasses and ensuring you are safe from a flying object.
- For sports involving high sunlight exposure such as golf, skiing and water sports, UV exposure to the eye and periocular area should be reduced with UV-blocking sunglasses, Dr. Couch says.
Eye Safety Around The House
- Whether you are doing yard work, gardening or working in your garage, protecting your eyes should be a high priority.
- If you are cutting grass or another project that might lead to flying objects, wear wraparound polycarbonate goggles or goggles with side shields to protect the entire eye area.
- Be careful when working with vegetation and wear protective eyewear to prevent injuries such as leaf cuts, which might lead to infection.
Dr. Steven Couch is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Couch or another specialist, call 314.542.WEST (9378) or toll-free 844.542.9378 or request a call for an appointment.