Hot Tips for Summer Eye Safety
With the sun shining, temperatures rising and increasing amounts of time being spent outside, summer can have a serious impact on the health of your eyes. During the summer months it is important to take proper care of your eyes. St. Joe’s opthamologist, Dr. Sarah Mullen shares helpful tips for eye care during the summer months.
1. Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection
Exposure to bright sunlight can cause permanent damage to the eye, and is linked with cataract formation and cancer. Glasses labeled UV400 or 100% UV protection are the best defense against harmful UV-A and UV-B rays. Wraparound sunglasses prevent rays hitting your eyes from the side.
2. Don’t forget your hat
A wide-brimmed hat can block up to 50% of UV rays. Remember that clouds don’t block UV light, and sunlight can be reflected off sand and water.
3. Kids need eye protection too
Children are at particular risk as UV damage is cumulative over a lifetime. Make sure children always wear a hat and sunglasses. To prevent red, irritated eyes, wear goggles while swimming. Always wear protective eyewear during sports.
4. Fireworks: don’t be a statistic
Thousands of adults and children suffer eye injuries from fireworks each year which can cause blindness. This can happen even without handling the fireworks yourself. Watch firework displays from a minimum 500 foot distance and keep children away from all types of fireworks, including sparklers.
5. Home is high risk
Most people believe eye injuries usually happen at work, but nearly 50% happen at home. Fortunately, up to 90% of eye injuries are preventable, and protective eyewear should be worn for activities such as mowing the lawn, using power tools (trimmers, blowers, saws), trimming hedges, working with bungee cords, and using chemicals or solvents.
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is the home to the Hamilton Regional Eye Institute (also known as the Hamilton Eye Clinic), looking after individuals with eye disorders in the greater Hamilton area, including Niagara and Brantford. The Eye Clinic provides many services including consultation, assessment, special eye tests and procedures. The Eye clinic is comprised of a care team of eye specialists and staff from St. Joseph’s Department of Eye Medicine and Surgery and the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University Department of Eye Medicine and Surgery.