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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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