Summer is here and the eyes are especially sensitive at this time of year, so a series of measures must be taken to prevent complications.

The problems of the sun in the eyes can be seen especially in summer when the king star spends more hours with us. Not only that, the water from the sea or from the pool also harms our eye health.

Problems of the sun in the eyes

En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada we are used to seeing an uptick in visits after the summer season. For this reason, we want to prevent you from the effects of the sun on the eyes, so you will avoid ophthalmological pathologies due to lack of care. Are you ready to know what damage the sun does to our eyes? Take note!

The effects of the sun on the eyes

We can now go sunbathing, to the beach, to the pool, activities that are not exempt from some risk to the eyes, erythema on the skin of the Eyelids, conjunctivitis y keratitis by ultraviolet radiation or infections of swimming pools.

In summer we relax and forget to put the drops that the ophthalmologist prescribed or leave them in the wrong places.

Do these situations sound familiar to you? They are very common in the summer season and all of them can cause problems that we must avoid to maintain our eye health.

Eye problems in summer These are the most frequent!

The effects of the sun on the eyes are not always positive. Sometimes, in summer, eye diseases related to exposure to the king star can occur.

These are the problems that the sun causes in the eyes during the summer months:

Solar eyelid erythema

One of the aspects that most concerns ophthalmologists in summer is the impact of solar radiation on the eyes.

Everyone knows the importance of protecting the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, especially in children. In the same way, the skin of the eyelids easily suffers the aggression of the sun. If you don't take care of it, a very annoying erythema can appear, with edema (accumulation of liquid) and difficulty blinking.

Solar actinic keratitis

When this damage affects the eyeball, excessive exposure to the sun usually causes a conjunctivitis, very bothersome, with a sensation of grittiness, tearing, red eye and that can be associated with a certain degree of affectation of the cornea.

Thus, what we call a keratitis, with more pain and discomfort to the light (photophobia), a symptom that indicates greater severity. In these cases it is advisable to protect the eyes, cover them with gauze and go to an emergency center or an ophthalmologist.

conjunctivitis in summer

Infectious conjunctivitis is also one of the workhorses that we will find on these dates. Swimming pools, and even the sea, are a major source of contagion for viruses and bacteria, in addition to the irritations caused by the chemical products used in swimming pools.

In all these cases the red eye appears, tearing or even mucous suppuration. Faced with a "red eye" that does not disappear after 24 hours, which is accompanied by blurred vision and pain, it is advisable to go to the ophthalmologist.

The best way to prevent these conjunctivitis is to make sure that the pool complies with health regulations.

Corneal erosions in the summer

In summer, the increase in corneal erosions, the majority produced in excursions or doing some type of sport. A scratch with the branch of a bush, a fortuitous blow or a ball that hits the face and affects the eye can cause some type of eye condition.

They are not usually major injuries but they bother and are still a wound, that is, a gateway for possible infections. That is why it is important to avoid them and in the case of suffering them, go to an emergency service or an ophthalmologist to establish the appropriate treatment.

Do not stop the treatment

Summer is to relax, but sometimes we even forget to follow the treatments that we have been doing during the rest of the year, something especially important in cases of glaucoma or Dry Eye.

It is also common to forget the drops when we go on a trip and if it is outside of Spain, it is not easy to get them, because they have another name or because a prescription is required.

A tip to avoid these oversights is to make a list of everything you need to carry in your travel suitcase. This way you guarantee that you take your tears, medicines, glasses and everything you need to maintain eye health also in summer. It's tedious but the consequences can be worse.

Effects of the sun on the eyes in summer

How to prevent visual problems in the summer

There are different ways to prevent visual problems in summer due to the effects of the sun or a more carefree lifestyle. here we leave you 10 tips to take care of your eyes in summer but we summarize the most important prevention measures:

wear sunglasses

To prevent this situation, it is recommended to protect yourself with sunglasses with ultraviolet filter. Most of the sunglasses that we find in opticians have the CE accreditation of the European Union, which guarantees the presence of these filters.

You have to look at the number that identifies it, there are 4 levels, from 0 to 4, from less to more protection. The recommended ones are 2 and 3. Level 4 is very intense and cannot be used for driving.

Once the right sunglasses have been selected, it is important to use them when we are outdoors. Not only when we walk down the street, but also when we go on excursions through the forest or the mountains.

use artificial tears

This advice is especially important when we go to dry environments, with air conditioning or after long exposure to the sun.

Always include your artificial tears in your travel suitcase and do not leave them anywhere once you arrive at your vacation spot. In order for the tears to maintain all their properties, it is important that you keep them in a dark place away from direct sunlight. TampDo not expose them to extreme temperatures.

To guarantee the good condition of artificial tears, it is recommended to use the single-dose format at least during the summer season.

caution in swimming pools

We must be especially vigilant when we go to swimming pools. In these places where so many people congregate in the same water there may be hygiene problems if the venue does not follow minimum control standards.

For this reason, it is important to go to swimming pools with guarantees of water control. And the golden rule before any damage that is accompanied by red eye and loss of vision: See an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. 

And do not forget to regenerate your eyes after the summer, this way you will prepare them for autumn and winter.

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Eyes and Summer
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Eyes and Summer
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The eyes in summer are especially sensitive. ✅ We tell you what the most common problems are and how to prevent them. Get in now! ✅
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Área Oftalmológica Avanzada
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