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Don’t Overlook Eye Health This Summer

Summer is in full swing, and children are spending more time outdoors. Going to the beach, the pool, ballgames, and family picnics.

Most parents are careful to spread sunscreen on their children in the summer months, but there is one risk from the sun that often gets overlooked: damage to young eyes. The lens inside the eye is our natural defense barrier against UV light, filtering out the harmful rays. However, unlike an adult’s eye, a child’s eye is still maturing — consequently, their “filter” is not as effective.

Overexposure to UV rays is a major concern and can cause severe eye damage. Did you know:

  • Up to 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV radiation is reached before age 18.
  • Only 5% of adults report that their child “always” wears sunglasses when outside.

 

And like our body, our eyes can become dehydrated in hot weather and need to be properly hydrated for essential tear film production and dispersal.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends taking these 5 steps to make eyes summertime-healthy:

  1. Avoid “sunburn of the eye”— Prevent photokeratitis by wearing sunglasses that are marked “100% UV protection.” Also, wear a broad-brimmed hat as an added safeguard.
  2. Prevent “swimmer’s eye”— Pools can be tough on the eyes. Chemicals used to keep the water clean, such as chlorine, can affect the natural tear film that keeps our eyes moist and healthy.
  3. Keep dry eye at bay — Spending time outside when it is hot, dry or windy can irritate a common condition called dry eye. To protect eyes, wear wrap-around glasses to keep wind from the eye’s surface. Also, use artificial tears (preferably those that are preservative-free) to keep eyes moist and refreshed.
  4. Don’t play around with eye safety — Whether mowing the lawn, trimming weeds or playing baseball, always wear the proper protective eyewear; more than half of all eye injuries occur at home. Using an eyewash will help the healing process for some eye injuries.
  5. Quit smoking — Kicking the habit reduces the risk of eye disease and other major health problems.

 

Shop these McGill products to help maintain eye health:

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