There are so many reasons to enjoy your time outside this summer. Whether you are walking on the beach, swimming in the ocean, or playing on the ball field, many outdoor activities can be relaxing and provide a number of health benefits. But while this time spent outdoors can do a body good, it can potentially do your eyes bad if you don’t know how to properly protect them from the sun and other environmental dangers.
Here are a few popular summer activities along with some eye safety tips to keep in mind:
Activity: Water Sports
Eye Safety Tip: Not only do you need to watch out for the sun above you, but the water below you will also reflect the UV light upwards and can damage your eyes. Use swim goggles or sunglasses with a UV (ultraviolet) rating of UV400 or higher (they may also be marked with “100% UV protection”).
Activity: Baseball
Eye Safety Tip: Even if throwing an impromptu game together with friends, don’t skimp on the eye safety. If you are a catcher, wear a face shield and helmet. For all other positions, sunglasses and a baseball cap should do the trick. Your baseball glove can be an added tool for shielding your eyes in a pinch.
Activity: Hiking
Eye Safety Tip: Get to know what poison ivy, sumac, and oak look like…and then avoid them if at all possible. However, if you cannot avoid them, at the very least, avoid touching your eyes at all costs! And of course, as always, be sure to wear your sunglasses while hiking for the extra protection they can provide.
No matter what you do outside this summer, there are always those general guidelines to keep in mind for eye protection. Your most tried and true safety tools have got to be a hat with a wide-brim and your favorite pair of sunglasses. Remember to always make sure you are using sunglasses with the UV400 or higher rating (i.e. 100% UV protection). And don’t allow yourself to be swayed by sunglasses with darker lenses, as the level of protection has everything to do with the UV rating, and little to do with the lens color/shade.
