Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on July 20, 2021
July is one of the warmest summer months, and it’s nice to enjoy the good weather as much as you can. But did you know that July is UV Safety Month?
Did you know that there even is a UV Safety Month? Keep reading to learn more about UV Safety Month and see why it’s vital to protect your eyes from the sun!
What is UV, and Why is it Important to Have UV Safety Month?
UV is short for ultraviolet, and it is a specific type of light that radiates off the sun. UV rays are intense, and they can cause skin cancer and damage your eyes if they are not protected.
UV Safety Month is a month dedicated to educating people about the effects of UV rays on your eyes. Most people only think of protecting their skin from the sun’s rays. But your eyes are just as sensitive to this harsh light.
How Can UV Rays Damage My Eyes?
In the summer, UV rays are more potent than in other seasons. Summer is also the season you want to be outdoors all the time.
Since you’re spending so much time outside during this sunny season, you must protect yourself from the sun. But it can be hard to remember to protect yourself from UV rays with sunscreen and sunglasses.
UV rays can affect you just about anywhere because they can bounce off different surfaces like grass, sand, and water and damage your eyes. That’s why you must protect yourself even when you’re in places where you feel protected, like sitting in a car or near a window.
Tips for UV Safety Month
There are a lot of different ways you can protect your eyes. Here are some strategies to ensure your eyes stay healthy during UV Safety Month:
Wear Sunglasses
The easiest and most important tip is to wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Regular or wraparound sunglasses both work.
Wraparound sunglasses make sure that rays cannot come through the side. It is still essential to wear sunglasses, even if your contacts say they have UV protection.
Also, always wear your sunglasses when it is cloudy! UV rays can still get through clouds and fog and hurt your eyes.
Wear a Hat
Sunglasses do an excellent job of keeping your eyes safe, but you can always take extra precautions. You should wear a broad-brimmed hat with sunglasses during the summer to further protect your eyes from UV rays.
Don’t Look at the Sun
For most people, this is obvious, but you should not look directly into the sun. No matter the season, it can cause solar retinopathy.
This means that you have damage to your retina from solar radiation. Luckily, solar retinopathy is easy to avoid. Don’t look directly at the sun!
Avoid the Sun When it’s Strongest
It is best to avoid being outside in the sun when it is at its strongest. The time the sun is strongest is from 10 am to 2 pm. If you are going to be outside during this period, you need to make sure to protect yourself with sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
Keep Your Kids’ Eyes Safe
If you are a parent, you need to remember that kids are more sensitive to the sun and UV rays than you. Since a kid’s eyes are easily damaged, they need a lot of protection. Anytime your child is outside, make sure they are wearing sunglasses and a hat.
Are you ready to start prioritizing eye health? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, to discuss the tools you need to maintain healthy eyes!
