Summer Eye Care, protecting your eyes in the summer months!

While summer is a season many of us look forward to, it also brings a few challenges when it comes to looking after your eyes. With more time spent outside in bright sunlight, dry indoor environments and high pollen counts, your eyes may be more prone to irritation.

In this blog, we explore common summer triggers that can affect your eye comfort and explain how to protect your eyes from UV rays, allergens, air conditioning and screen time.

 

1. UV Radiation and Eye Damage

Sunlight is an important part of summer, but too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can be harmful to your eyes. UV rays can come from natural sources like the sun and artificial ones such as sunbeds and some lighting. These rays penetrate eye tissue more easily than visible light, increasing the risk of damage over time^1,2.

Prolonged exposure to UV light has been linked to several eye conditions, including³:

• Pinguecula: yellowish protein and fat deposits on the white of the eye
• Pterygium: a growth that extends from the white of the eye over the cornea
• Cataracts: clouding of the eye’s lens due to UV-related protein breakdown

 

Our recommendation

Wear sunglasses with wraparound lenses or wide arms with the CE Mark and British Standard Mark⁴.

 

2. Air Conditioning and Dry Eyes

On a hot day, stepping into a cool, air-conditioned room feels like a relief, but staying in that environment too long can dry out your eyes. Air conditioning lowers humidity, which can cause tears to evaporate more quickly. This disrupts the tear film, the thin layer that keeps your eyes lubricated and protected⁵.

 

Dry eye symptoms can include⁶:

• Itchy or a gritty feeling
• Redness
• Blurred vision
• Increased sensitivity to light

 

Our recommendation

Avoid sitting directly with your face directly in the flow of air, use eye drops and consider a humidifier.

 

3. Pollen and Eye Allergies

Allergy season can take a toll on your eyes. Pollen is a major trigger of allergic conjunctivitis, also known as eye allergies. When allergens come into contact with the eyes, they stimulate the release of histamines, which causes symptoms such as^7,8:

• Itching and watering
• Redness and puffiness
• Burning sensations
• Blurred or reduced vision

 

Our recommendation

Wear wraparound sunglasses and wide-brim hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes. When inside keep your windows and doors shut to stop as much pollen as possible getting in and shower and change your clothes are you’ve been outside to remove pollen.

 

4. Screens and Blue Light Exposure

Although we may spend more time outdoors in summer, digital screens are still a big part of our lives, from scrolling on phones at the beach to catching up on TV in the evening. Prolonged screen time can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome, causing⁹:

• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Blurred vision

One contributing factor is blue light, a high-energy visible light emitted from screens. While some blue light exposure is natural, overexposure, especially at night, may disrupt sleep¹⁰.

 

Our recommendation

Take regular breaks from screens (think the 20-20-20 rule), and consider using eye drops like TheraTears Screen Eyes Eye Drops.

 

Support Eye Comfort with TheraTears

 

Our TheraTears Irritation & Redness Eye Drops are specially formulated to reduce strain and refresh sensitive or red eyes¹¹. Formulated with a preservative, they are designed to minimise irritation and assist in treating allergies and allergic conjunctivitis. On top of this, they are also contact lens friendly and compatible with homeopathic treatments!

 

The symptoms mentioned throughout can also be related to other conditions, please seek advice from a healthcare professional if they persist.

Always refer to the product information before use.

 

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/features/uv-radiation.html
2. https://www.nei.nih.gov
3. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun
4. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
5. https://mydryeye.ca
6. https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/dry-eyes/
7. https://www.allergyuk.org
8. https://windsor.refocuseyedoctors.com
9. https://belmonteyecenter.com
10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9424753/
11. https://www.theratears-eu.com/products/irritation-and-redness/