A doctor’s guide to protecting your eyes in summer – including nasal sprays

Summer is a time to take your eyecare seriously. With higher UV levels, peak pollen counts and more outdoor and water-based activities on the agenda, we asked experts for the best practices, tips and tricks for preserving your eye health.

Wear sunglasses even on cloudy days

UV levels are significantly higher during the summer months, explains consultant ophthalmologist Alex Day. “Sunglasses reduce light exposure to the eyes and eyelids and also filter out UVA and UVB radiation, reducing the risk of cataracts, pterygium (growths of tissue over the clear cornea of the eye), eyelid cancers, and retinal problems such as age-related macular degeneration. Sunglasses also reduce airflow over the surface of the eyes, which can help with eye comfort if you have dry eyes.”

Ideally, you should aim to wear sunglasses even on a cloudy day in summer, according to Day. “This is because up to 80 per cent of UV rays can easily penetrate through cloud cover. Even when the sun is not visible, the invisible ultraviolet radiation is still present and can damage your eyes over time. This is especially important for patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who should always wear sunglasses whenever possible outside.”

Some experts recommend getting morning sunlight in your eyes as soon after waking as possible to help set your circadian rhythm and support sleep cycles. So is it safe to do this without sunglasses? “Getting natural morning light is important for regulating your sleep cycle and overall health,” Day says, “especially if you are trying to recover from jet lag after a long flight. Doing this early in the day when the UV index is very low is safe, provided you do not stare directly at the sun.”

Avoid small sunglass frames or choosing purely for style

Not all sunglasses are created equal, Day notes – and it’s a mistake to choose a pair based purely on style rather than protection. “Ensure your sunglasses block 100 per cent of both UVA and UVB rays, as indicated by a CE or UV400 mark, or the newer, post-Brexit, UKCA mark. Avoid small frames or styles that let unfiltered light leak in from the sides, and instead opt for wraparound designs or large frames from reputable brands,” he advises. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap with your sunglasses provides an extra layer of secondary protection. “This significantly reduces the amount of UV radiation reaching your eyes and eyelids from above and around the sides of your frames.”

Never look directly at the sun

“Not even during an eclipse or in the winter when the intensity of the light might seem less,” Day warns. “The intense light and radiation can literally burn the retina. This condition, called solar retinopathy, causes irreversible central vision loss and has no cure. It’s not only the sun that can cause this permanent damage; other bright lights, such as laser pointers, can do the same.”

Children need more UV protection than adults

This is because their eyes are still developing, Day explains, their natural crystalline lenses are clearer, their pupils larger, allowing more UV radiation to reach the back of the eye. “Babies up to about six months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely, and you should use hats and stroller canopies to help with this. Older children should wear purpose-made children’s sunglasses, never toy sunglasses. Look for the same CE, UV400 or UKCA marks as you would with adult sunglasses.

“Encourage sunglass wear from an early age, as this will help them tolerate them, rather than pull them off all the time,” he suggests. “Brands like Babiators, Cebe or Izipizi offer durable, wraparound styles with flexible frames that provide excellent, safe coverage for children.”

Always wear sunglasses over contact lenses

Most, but not all, contact lenses have UV filters. “Whilst these help protect the cornea and retina from UV light, the filters are not as strong as those in sunglasses,” Day says. “It will always say on the contact lens box what the level of UV protection is: Class one or Class two UV blockers, where Class one blocks 90 per cent of UVA and 99 per cent of UVB, and Class two blocks 70 per cent of UVA and 95 per cent of UVB. If it doesn’t say ‘UV Blocking’ on the box, it probably doesn’t.” That said, he advises wearing UV-blocking sunglasses over contact lenses for full protection against sun damage.

Never shower, swim, or sleep in contact lenses

Doing so drastically increases the risk of severe, sight-threatening infections, Day says. “Showering or swimming with contact lenses greatly increases your risk of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a rare but devastating infection. If you have late nights, always remember to take out your contact lenses when you get home, or opt for glasses or consider laser eye surgery.”

Wear goggles while swimming

Wearing goggles helps to protect the delicate surface of your eyes from harsh pool chemicals like chlorine and waterborne bacteria, Day explains. “Goggles greatly reduce the risk of chemical conjunctivitis and serious microbial infections that can easily ruin a holiday and threaten your sight.”

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your eyelids

Often overlooked, Day stresses the importance of carefully applying sunscreen to your eyelids and the skin around your eyes and using products that are specifically formulated for this sensitive area, “as this area is highly susceptible to skin cancer but is often forgotten when applying sunscreen.”

If you suffer from hay fever, take action early to protect your eyes

Adele Durge, an allergy clinical nurse specialist at the Allergy Centre of Excellence, strongly advises taking action before symptoms arise. Tree pollen season typically peaks around now (April/May); grass pollen season usually starts in mid-May and peaks in July; and weed pollen season starts June and peaks July/August.

“Don’t wait until your eyes are streaming,” she urges. “By the time symptoms appear, the inflammatory response is already well under way, and it is harder to bring under control.” Instead, if you know your symptoms flare, she suggests starting medication several weeks before your personal season typically begins. “Consistent, daily antihistamines throughout the pollen season are the cornerstone of good management – not just a tablet grabbed on a bad day. The same logic applies to antihistamine or dual-action eye drops: used regularly, they have a protective effect that is far more powerful than reactive, occasional use.”

Use nasal sprays to protect your eyes

Allergic eye disease rarely travels alone, Durge notes. “Around half of people with severe eye allergies also have eczema, asthma or hay fever. If your hay fever is poorly controlled, the inflammation and congestion in your nasal passages directly worsens eye inflammation too. The tear ducts drain into the nose, so swollen nasal tissue causes tears to pool and the eye surface to remain bathed in irritants. Treating your allergic nose inflammation with a daily nasal steroid spray is one of the most effective ways to protect your eyes.”

Switch to daily disposable lenses during allergy season

To avoid exacerbating hay fever symptoms, Day suggests switching to daily disposable lenses during allergy season, as pollen can easily stick to contact lenses and cause intense itching. “Throwing away the allergens at the end of each day keeps the eye surface much cleaner,” he points out. “Preservative-free lubricating eye drops are excellent for flushing out pollen and combating the drying effects of summer heat and air conditioning. Your pharmacist can also recommend anti-allergy eye drops.”

Practical tips to lessen the effects of pollen on eyes

As well as medications, some simple daily habits can help protect eyes during allergy season, says Adele Durge, an allergy clinical nurse specialist.

• Don’t wear your contact lenses until your eyes are better
• Monitor pollen forecasts daily and stay indoors wherever possible when the count is high
• Keep doors and windows closed when the pollen count is high
• Stay away from areas where there is more pollen, such as grassy parks – especially in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening when the pollen count is highest
• Before going outside, smear Vaseline around the bone of the eyes and around nostrils to trap pollen particles before they enter the body
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in their eyes and a hat to stop pollen falling near your face
• Keep the car windows shut when driving, use your filtered air conditioner
• Wash your hair, face and hands when you arrive indoors and change your clothes
• Avoid hanging the washing outside when the pollen count is high
• Follow your daily medication regime, even when symptoms appear to be improving
• Do not rub your eyes – it releases more histamine and makes things worse
• Cool compresses can be soothing and help to reduce the inflammation
• An eye bath is a great way to flush any allergens from the eye’s surface

المصدر: iNews