Summer has arrived! It’s that glorious time of year when we tend to spend more time outdoors — playing sports, hiking, swimming or soaking up rays on a beach.
Being outside in the warmth and the sun can be good for the soul. However, if you’re a contact lens wearer, those extended hours in the elements or time away from your usual routines can be hard on the eyes. And who wants to end up with infections, dry or red eyes, or even corneal scratches — whether in your backyard, at the cottage, or on vacation?
Proper lens wear and handling are important in all seasons. But summer can throw some curveballs that may impact eye health.
- Swimming could expose your lenses to microorganisms lurking in lakes and other bodies of water
- Hot temperatures can dry your eyes
- Air-conditioning can also cause dryness
- Travel can interrupt cleaning routines, and your usual products might not be available at your holiday destination
- Summer allergies can cause itchiness, redness and tearing, making lenses uncomfortable
- Smoke from wildfires,which are common in summer, can irritate eyes
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Here’s how you can enjoy the summer season, while looking after your eyes.
Don’t mix contacts and swimming
It might be tempting to wade into the waves or pool while wearing your lenses. Don’t! Contacts absorb water from your environment. Drops of water can lead to eye discomfort on their own. But if the water contains irritants like pool chemicals or pathogens (present in ocean, lake and tap water), this can cause a variety of issues: cornea damage, infections and eye ulcers. If you’re going to swim, leave your contacts in their case.
Also, don’t sleep with your lenses in. Summer fun might leave you tired at the end of the day, but don't make the mistake of nodding off without taking out your contacts.
Consider disposable or daily lenses
You might be a seasoned pro at keeping your weeklies , or monthlies clean, but summer can be tricky to navigate. Wind and heat can dry your eyes more quickly, and they can get exposed to sand and other irritants in the air. If particles adhere to your contacts and are not thoroughly removed, the debris can cause scratches on your lenses — which will get increasingly uncomfortable if you continue to wear them for days or weeks.
The same goes for pollen. If you suffer from summer allergies, pollen can accumulate on your lenses after each day of wear.
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, consider wearing daily lenses you’ll get a fresh and comfortable pair of each day without any day-to-day build-up.
[Read our blog: THE FREEDOM OF MULTIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES – VisionPros USA]
Wear UV blocking sunglasses
Sunglasses help protect eyes from wind, sand, dust and other irritants that can dry out contact lenses. A moist eye is a comfortable eye! And there are other advantages to popping on a pair of shades. Bright light makes us squint, and that causes eye muscle strain. Sunglasses keep the squints away. They also protect eyes from harmful UV rays, which can cause sunburn of the eye. If you’re concerned about UV Exposure,
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Use eye drops
Summer heat and wind can make maintaining a healthy tear consistency challenging. If you’re planning to spend time outdoors, use lubricating eye drops or lens rewetting drops several times a day to keep your contacts comfortable. Never use tap water; it won’t relieve discomfort and could result in infection. Ask your eye care professional about what drops are best for you.
Take a break. Wear your glasses
Contact lenses provide incredible convenience, offering crystal clear vision without the need for glasses. However, consider that contact lenses, which are medical devices fitted by a professional, are still foreign pieces of plastic that sit on your eye for long periods of time. Because summer can be extra hard on your eyes, it might be the perfect time to take a break from wearing contact lenses. Consider wearing your glasses some days — your eyes might appreciate the mini-vacation.
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Summer is for fun, adventure and relaxation. While you’re enjoying yourself, be sure to look after your eyes and your contact lenses — and they’ll look after you.
Want to know more about caring for your eyes as the seasons change? Do you have questions about what contact lenses are best for you? Contact our customer service team at 1-800-404-7317 or email info@visionpros.com to learn more. We’re happy to help.
