Summer has arrived! It\u2019s that glorious time of year when we tend to spend more time outdoors \u2014 playing sports, hiking, swimming or soaking up rays on a beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Being outside in the warmth and the sun can be good for the soul. However, if you\u2019re a contact lens wearer, those extended hours in the elements or time away from your usual routines can be hard on the eyes. And who wants to end up with infections, dry or red eyes, or even corneal scratches \u2014 whether in your backyard, at the cottage, or on vacation?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Proper lens wear and handling are important in all seasons. But summer can throw some curveballs that may impact eye health<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [Read our blog: 4 NEW HIGH-TECH OPTIONS FOR POPULAR CONTACT LENS BRANDS \u2013 VisionPros USA<\/a><\/b>]<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s how you can enjoy the summer season, while looking after your eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t mix contacts and swimming<\/b><\/p>\n It might be tempting to wade into the waves or pool while wearing your lenses. Don\u2019t! Contacts absorb water from your environment. Drops of water can lead to eye discomfort on their own. But if the water contains irritants like pool chemicals or pathogens (present in ocean, lake and tap water), this can cause a variety of issues: cornea damage, infections and eye ulcers. If you\u2019re going to swim, leave your contacts in their case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Also, don\u2019t sleep with your lenses in. Summer fun might leave you tired at the end of the day, but don’t make the mistake of nodding off without taking out your contacts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Consider disposable or daily lenses\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n You might be a seasoned pro at keeping your\u00a0weeklies\u00a0<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0monthlies <\/a><\/span>clean, but summer can be tricky to navigate. Wind and heat can dry your eyes more quickly, and they can get exposed to sand and other irritants in the air. If particles adhere to your contacts and are not thoroughly removed, the debris can cause scratches on your lenses \u2014 which will get increasingly uncomfortable if you continue to wear them for days or weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The same goes for pollen. If you suffer from summer allergies, pollen can accumulate on your lenses after each day of wear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, consider wearing daily lenses<\/a><\/span>\u00a0you\u2019ll get a fresh and comfortable pair of each day without any day-to-day build-up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [Read our blog: THE FREEDOM OF MULTIFOCAL CONTACT LENSES \u2013 VisionPros USA<\/a><\/span><\/b>]<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wear UV blocking sunglasses<\/b><\/p>\n Sunglasses help protect eyes from wind, sand, dust and other irritants that can dry out contact lenses. A moist eye is a comfortable eye! And there are other advantages to popping on a pair of shades. Bright light makes us squint, and that causes eye muscle strain. Sunglasses<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>keep the squints away. They also protect eyes from harmful UV rays, which can cause sunburn of the eye. If you\u2019re concerned about UV Exposure<\/a><\/span>,<\/span><\/p>\n [Shop Sunglasses: Sunglasses \u2013 VisionPros USA<\/a><\/b><\/span>\u00a0]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Use eye drops<\/b><\/p>\n Summer heat and wind can make maintaining a healthy tear consistency challenging. If you\u2019re planning to spend time outdoors, use lubricating eye drops or lens rewetting drops several times a day to keep your contacts comfortable. Never use tap water; it won\u2019t relieve discomfort and could result in infection. Ask your eye care professional about what drops are best for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Take a break. Wear your glasses<\/b><\/p>\n Contact lenses provide incredible convenience, offering crystal clear vision without the need for glasses. However, consider that contact lenses, which are medical devices fitted by a professional, are still foreign pieces of plastic that sit on your eye for long periods of time. Because summer can be extra hard on your eyes, it might be the perfect time to take a break from wearing contact lenses. Consider wearing your glasses some days \u2014 your eyes might appreciate the mini-vacation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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