This week's blog post is inspired by We Love Eyes.  Dr. Tanya Gill has shared with us her 6 tips for Summer Eye Care downloadable PDF.  This blog is my take on the six tips to living your best life this summer. 

Wear your sunglasses outdoors.  I reviewed this in detail a few weeks back.  Check out the sunglasses blog here.  It is very important to wear your sunglasses to reduce the harmful UV rays that are getting to all of the different layers of your eyes.  In July, sunlight can be brilliant.  Your eyes are already dry, red and irritated.  Anything that adds stress to your system will add to your already irritated eyes.  It will make your symptoms worse.

 

In addition, sunglasses block harmful UV rays that can cause problems on the front surface of the eye like pterygium and pinguecula. The rays can also cause damage to the lens of the eye which over years and years forms a cataract.  And finally, UV light can cause damage to the retina. Retinal damage can come in the form of a solar scar or macular degeneration.

 

 

Clean your eyes after summer activities.  Summer usually equates to lots of outdoor activities.  Whether you have been outdoors in the hot sun and wind playing a sport, or you have been swimming in the pool, lake, or ocean, you will need to refresh the front surface of your eyes. 

 

I recommend using a preservative-free artificial tear at these times.  (If you don't know which brand of tears is best for you, download my Guide to Artificial Tears here)  Once you are done with the activity, or if your eyes are irritated during the activity, you may place drops of preservative-free artificial tears in your eyes to refresh them.

 

As you recall, your lids and eyelashes work as a protective barrier for your eyes. Therefore, they can become coated with dirt, dust, and debris, which would otherwise get inside your eyes.  Dr. Tanya Gill from We Love Eyes also recommends washing your lids and lashes with tea tree oil foaming cleanser.

 

At the end of the day, or at the end of outdoor activities, it is important to cleanse these impurities from your eyes.  This is a great way to remove dirt, dust,  pollen and debris from your lids and lashes.  The foaming cleanser easily gets in between the lashes to remove all traces of dirt.   

 

Get rid of allergens. Don’t let allergies slow you down.  During the summer, the pollen counts can be very high depending on the climate that you live in. Trees, grasses, and flowers may be blooming everywhere.  And, don’t forget indoor allergies such as dust and mold.  Mold can also be more prevalent in the summer, especially in the more humid climates.

 

Dr. Tanya Gill from We Love Eyes also recommends washing your lids and lashes with tea tree oil foaming cleanser.  And, for all you ladies, utilizing her eye makeup remover oil is the first step.  Dust, dirt and pollen can cling to your eyelashes.  Spending extra time on your lashes to remove those irritants from them.

 

If you’re looking to wear a pair of false eyelashes this summer be sure to keep them squeaky clean.  Summer may be a time when you are going to lots of parties, weddings, graduations and even backyard bar-be-ques where you want to look your best. Even gals with sensitive eyes want to show up looking great at these events.  Wearing false eyelashes is possible if you take care of them properly.

 

Don’t forget to check out my blog about beautiful eyelashes here. You can find all the details about growing your own long, healthy lashes on this blog.

 

Because eyelash extensions are placed on the eyes utilizing a glue, you do not want to use an oil based cleanser.  The oil could dissolve the glue. Instead, utilize a hypochlorous eyelid spray. This will clean dirt, dust and bacteria from the lashes without breaking down the glues.

 

Remove your eye makeup every night. As you already know, removing your eye make up at the end of the day is one of my Golden Rules for sensitive eyes.  All traces of eye makeup must come off every night. 

 

You can read the guide to eye makeup removers here.  Or, you can download the guide here. The guide will help you determine the best eye makeup remover for your lifestyle.

 

If you are stuck behind a computer instead of enjoying the sunshine, don’t forget to hydrate your eyes.  Long hours working on a computer can certainly dry out the front surface of your eyes.

 

Stay hydrated by utilizing preservative-free artificial tears several times a day.  Check out the ultimate guide to artificial tears here and read the blog to choose the best artificial tear for your lifestyle.

 

Constantly utilizing electronic devices is part of our modern day life. You may want to consider your blue light exposure. You can wear contact lenses that reduce your blue light exposure. Check out the blog about Acuvue Oasys with Transitions contact lenses to learn more about these blue blocking lenses.  

 

Whatever it is you’re doing this summer, I hope you are out having fun. Be sure to protect your eyes from the elements with sunglasses, artificial tears and lid and lash cleansers.  If you need more support, please reach out to me in the comments below or on Facebook.

 

Dr. Tanya Gill from We Love Eyes has provided a Summer Eye Care Guide to accompany this blog.  To download it click here.

 

By: Pamela Theriot, OD, FAAO