Issue Date: May 6, 2007
Focus on eyes
In the summertime, protect your vision as much as you do your skin.
When you're biking, wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sun and wind damage.
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With summer just around the corner, we're spending more time outside. Gardening, hiking, bike-riding and water sports all keep us active and allow us to interact with nature. Most of us understand the need to protect our skin from the harmful effects of sun, wind and chemicals (in pools), which dry out and damage the skin. But these elements also can hurt your eyes. And some other summer activities, like cutting the grass, ball sports and paintball, can involve flying objects.
Let's consider some of the risks:
Sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun (in the form of UVA and UVB rays) damages not only the skin but also structures in the eye. Wearing sunglasses that provide both UVA and UVB protection helps to limit the damage. Many places sell them, including stores specializing in sunglasses, and optical stores.
Wind. Not only does the wind carry dust particles and other objects that can scratch your cornea, but it also depletes the eyes of tears, the natural film that helps to protect and coat the eyeball. If you live in an area of low humidity and high wind, or if you plan to travel to such an area, keep handy lubricating eye drops (available at a local pharmacy). Of course, there are some people who have chronically dry eyes and, for them, over-the-counter remedies may not suffice. Fortunately, there are prescription medicines and procedures that they can discuss with their eye doctor that will help them out.
Water. Too often, people spend too much time opening their eyes underwater in pools. The same chemicals that help to keep the water clean can be very damaging to the eyes. So, invest in a face mask or pool goggles. That way, you can swim to your heart's content without worrying about your peepers.
Projectiles. High-speed objects can be flung accidentally when you're mowing the lawn. And high-speed projectiles are launched quite purposefully during baseball, softball and paintball games. Either way, everyone participating in such activities must protect their eyes. Although it may seem inconvenient, wearing appropriate eye protection during these activities is an inexpensive investment in your eye health. Most sporting goods stores sell protective eyewear that is tailored to various sporting activities.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and medical directorof Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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