Eye doctors have cautioned for years that you should protect your eyes from the sun’s rays. However, it still seems like most people tend to forget about their eyes as they put on sunscreen and head outside. Much like the sun’s rays damage the skin, the sun’s UV rays are harmful to your eyes and the skin around them. These rays cause DNA changes that lead to premature aging around your eyes in addition to the risk of cataracts, corneal sunburn, macular degeneration, and conjunctival cancers. To protect your eyes, follow these three tips. 

What do Doctors Recommend to Protect Your Eyes

1. Understand the Environment

Even if it’s cloudy outside, you shouldn’t forgo eye protection. The UV rays are still there, even though you can’t actively see the sun. Be careful of reflective surfaces such as sand, snow, and water, which reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays. Additionally, UV rays increase with altitude, so protect your eyes when skiing or hiking. During the peak hours of the day when the sun is at it’s highest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., limit your outdoor exposure and seek shade when possible.

2. Wear Hats

Hats with wide brims keep the sun out of your eyes. Opt for hats with 3-inch brims for optimal protection that are made from a tightly woven fabric. This precaution keeps as much as half of the UV rays away from your eyes. 

3. Choose the Right Glasses 

Wearing sunglasses is one of the best ways to protect your eyes, but not any pair will suffice. Look for sunglasses that offer the highest level of UV protection, usually 99 to 100 percent. Wrap-around style glasses provide more protection, If you’re a glasses wearer already, talk to your eye doctor about how much time you spend outside so they can help you choose the right lens and frame for a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Looking for an eye doctor to help manage your ocular health? Eye Care Locale in Dayton, OH, is the place to turn. This team of expert eye doctors and their knowledgeable staff put a heavy emphasis on providing the best care possible. With affordable exams and a wide selection of frames and contact lenses to choose from, they help you take control of your ocular health. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call them today at (937) 222-2452 to schedule your next exam.