Eye Safety Tips For This Summer
Published by on June 22, 2017
Summer is here – and that means enjoying sun-soaked days filled with swimming, the beach, sports, and other outdoor activities. At Kugler Vision in Omaha, we want you to follow a few eye safety tips this summer.
Summer fun and festivities put a whole set of demands on your eyes – especially if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is important to not only keep eye safety in mind during the summer months, but also plan for the demands of your vision. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your summer while protecting the health of your eyes and vision:
Sun Protection
Whether you’ve invested in a vision correction procedure such as LASIK or you wear corrective lenses, one of the most important things you can do for your eyes is to wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays. Sunglasses with wraparound frames are not only stylish, they provide your eyes with maximum protection from sun damage. Be sure your sunglasses are expressly labeled with 100% UV protection (UV400) – if they don’t it is time to go shopping! Add a wide-brimmed hat for a great look and extra protection.
While it doesn’t seem obvious, remember to wear your sunglasses on cloudy or hazy days. The sun’s rays can and do pass through clouds and haze. Sunlight is also especially strong when reflected off of water, so take extra precautions around beaches, lakes, and rivers.
Protection in the Water
Protect your eyes from swimming pool chemicals and the dangerous bacteria that can be found in natural bodies of water like Niobrara National Scenic River, Lewis and Clark Lake and oceans by wearing swim goggles. Make sure your goggles have UV protection, as the sun will reflect off the water and increase your UV exposure. If you are a contact lens wearer, it’s important to remove contact lenses before going into the water, as they can trap bacteria and microorganisms in your eye and cause infections.
Traveling
With kids out of school, families often find themselves taking trips and traveling over the summer. If you rely on glasses or contact lenses to see well, you’ll need to add all those supplies to your packing list. Be make sure you have your prescription glasses and sunglasses – and perhaps a backup pair for emergencies. Include plenty of contact lens solution, drops and an extra, fresh case if you wear contacts.
Getting in the Game
Sunny days lend themselves to playing sports, whether it’s a pick-up game of basketball or a getting in a little tennis practice. If you are athletically inclined you may not be surprised to learn there are over 40,000 sports-related eye injuries are reported each year. But, did you know one-third of those are eye injuries? Common injuries include eye infection, blunt trauma, corneal abrasion and detached retina. Many of these sport-related eye injuries are found in sports with small balls, such as badminton, baseball, or golf. Most of these injuries can be prevented by wearing the appropriate protective eyewear.
Show Your Smarts Around Fireworks
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, one in six fireworks injuries affect the eyes. Children account for nearly half of those incidents. Please, leave fireworks to the professionals. Fort Atkinson State Historical Park is beginning its Independence Day celebrations July 1. So, please, don’t set off fireworks at home. Even something as seemingly harmless as a sparkler poses real danger.
Whether scuba diving, water skiing or watching a baseball game, clearer vision with LASIK surgery can help you enjoy life to the fullest – especially during the summer months. Kugler Vision can help you make the right decision with a thorough evaluation of your eyes and vision – it is the best way to find out if you’re a candidate and learn about your options.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
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