Hello!
It’s finally starting to feel like summer up north! Amidst all of the recent changes in our society, it is refreshing to get outdoors and soak up the sun. As relaxing and enjoyable the summer months are, there is potential for ocular injuries with outdoor activities. This month, we will discuss a few tips on how to protect our eyes from the warm sunshine and outdoor projects.
Just as the sun can burn our skin, UV rays can cause damage to the tissues around and in the eye. One of the best ways to protect the ocular area is to wear sunglasses or lenses with UV protection built in. Other helpful options include wearing a hat to shade the eyes or staying out of direct sunlight. Most of our clear prescription lenses have some degree of UV coating built in to prevent any harmful UV rays from reaching the eye. However, the lenses don’t always cover the area around the eyes or block light from entering the eye from the sides, tops, and bottoms of our lenses. This is where a larger, sunglass frame may come in handy. If you are a fisherman or on the water, polarized lenses will provide clear vision by eliminating some of the glare reflected off of the water. We offer a number of stylish yet functional sunglass frame options at both of our offices to suit your needs and protect your eyes! Our opticians are happy to fit and discuss lens options for your sunglasses at any time.
Now that the weather is warm enough to garden or complete that lingering home project, it is important to remember to protect our eyes from potential eye injuries. Personally, my husband and I are repairing and refinishing our deck. As I sanded railings and he sawed new floor boards, it was extremely obvious how quickly an unintentional piece of wood or flying piece of debris could end up in your eye if you aren’t wearing safety eye protection. Safety eyeglasses differ from dress glasses or sunglasses by covering a larger area around your eyes and usually contain side shields or a protective barrier to prevent debris from landing near or in your eye. We offer a variety of safety options at both of our opticals. Our trained staff can assist in selection of frames and lenses to best suit your needs. However, if you do find yourself with a foreign body or injury to your eye, we are always available to evaluate and treat you. We are available after hours or on the weekends by phone call- don’t hesitate to contact us!
As we kick off summer and look forward to time at the lake or cabin, gardening, or refinishing a deck (In my case!), please remember to think about your eyes and how to best protect them. Every time you slap on sunscreen, be sure to locate your favorite sunglasses and hat before you enjoy the sun! When you tackle your weekend home repairs, remember to slide on safety glasses to prevent an ocular injury. Even with the best eye protection, accidents still happen, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have suffered an ocular accident this summer! Have a great summer! Stay safe!
~Dr. Whitney