Five tips to help you protect your eyes

We don’t often think of taking special care of our eyes until we either aren’t seeing well, or they are red, irritated or infected. With the summer sun and fun outdoor activities just around the corner, now is a great time to give your eyes some TLC. Taking good care of your eyes is simple! Read on for some quick tips to protect your eyes from UV rays, scratches, vision loss or infections all year long.

1. Wear sun protection: We slather our skin in sunblock, so why not protect your eyes too? According to the American Optometric Association, we should wear sunglasses with UV protection year-round to protect our vision and even reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Remember that UV radiation increases with every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. You’ll need that UV protection up in the mountains, down at the lakes and on cloudy days too! Kiddo’s need that sun protection, so make sure to get them some cool “shades” as well.
2. Wear eye safety gear: Spring and summer often means home improvement projects. It’s the prime time to be house painting, building decks and working in the garden. Make sure you are wearing safety glasses any time things like grass, metal, wood, glass or other objects could end up in your eyes. Don’t forget swimming can also expose your eyes to chlorine or other bacteria. Goggles can help protect your eyes from irritants, too!
3. Avoid rubbing your eyes, and wash hands often. Our hands are carriers for all the germs we are exposed to and eyes are susceptible to infections that are rubbed into them from our hands. Be mindful of rubbing eyes, as they are easily scratched.
4. Ladies, beware of your makeup. Old makeup can be a cesspool of germs that we color right into our eyes. Leaving your makeup on overnight leaves your eyes vulnerable to infection or allergic reactions. Be sure to replace your makeup frequently, wash brushes used to apply makeup and invest in hypo-allergenic or natural brands that avoid allergic responses.
5. Keep eyes hydrated by consuming enough water. Just as skin can become dehydrated, so can our eyes. Be aware of your liquid needs over the warm summer months and adjust your consumption based on the activities you are doing. Extended periods in the sun and wind can dry eyes rapidly. If you need an eye drop for your eyes, purchase one that is a solution of purified water—avoiding chemical based solutions.

In addition to the tips above, the Arizona Retinal Specialists suggests these tips to maintain the care of your eyes: avoid tobacco use, manage a balanced diet, be aware of computer and screen usage, and get enough sleep.

Have Questions?

Campbell County Health's Wellness works to reduce health risks and promote overall wellness among employee groups and individuals across the northeastern Wyoming region. To learn more about Wellness, please visit www.cchwyo.org/Wellness or call 307.688.8051.

Rachel Wilde, PBT, CPT, MA, works at CCH Wellness as a Technician and Phlebotomist