Daleen Slabbert consults to the optometric industry. Her services include: new practice set-up, implementing practice systems, implementing financial check points, staff training, implementing marketing strategies, human resources management, motivating staff, etc. She has amassed an incredible library of information and has vast experience in the running of high performance optometric practices. Daleen offers an on-site service, where she will be at the fore front of implementation of her systems. She has also developed an outstanding online course for optometric staff.


Here are some tips that will help your eyes over the summer. The best thing you can do to care for your eyes in the summer is to wear sunglasses, protective eyewear and a hat for any outdoor activities or tasks that involve potential exposure to toxic chemicals or other contaminants. While you follow this advice for prevention, you can make sure your children do the same.

By taking a proactive approach to eye care during the hot summer months, you can minimise the amount of time you need professional eye care.

Wear Sunglasses with complete Ultraviolet Protection

Ultra Violet radiation poses a serious threat to ocular health. Sunglasses should be worn routinely and must have 100% UV protection. Sunglasses should be worn even on cloudy days.

Polaroid sunglasses

Polarised lenses reduce the intensity of the reflection from surfaces such as water, cars, and cement. Sunglasses with polarised lenses are a good choice when you spend time at the pool or beach, playing water sports, or driving. Some swim goggles also come with polarised lenses. Keep children safe and start young with eye protection

Kids should enjoy the same protection against UV as adults. It is never too early to start with your children. The World Health Organization notes that as much as eighty percent of a person’s lifetime UVR exposure occurs prior to the age of eighteen. A child’s ocular lenses do not filter out UV light as efficiently as an adult’s. Moreover, children are far more likely to spend time playing outside, particularly during the warmer months. Thankfully, the solution is much the same as it is for adults. Apply regular sunscreen, particularly on your child’s face. Add a hat with a wide brim and comfortable sunglasses.

Sunblock

Be sure not to apply sunblock too near your eyes as it can result in irritation and affect your vision. Apply sunscreen carefully.

Keep dry eye at bay

Spending time outside when it is hot, dry and windy can irritate a common condition called dry eye. A hot, dry environment affects the tear film, drying out the eye’s surface. When you are sitting in an air conditioned room, you should not face into the direction of the flow of air. To protect your eyes in these conditions, wear wrap-around glasses to keep wind from your eye’s surface, Sodium Chloride 0.9% 30ml saline eye wash dispensed in individual ampules is an excellent option. The ampule is discarded after use and therefore not subject to contamination. There are several excellent over the counter drops available for dry eye.

Prevent “swimmer’s eye”

Swimming pools can be tough on the eyes. Chemicals used to keep the water clean, such as chlorine, can affect the natural tear film that keeps our eyes moist and healthy. The result? Red, gritty-feeling eyes and blurry vision. Splash your closed eyes with fresh water immediately after getting out of the pool. If you have not gone swimming in a few months, the first dip into the pool can feel awful on your eyes. The chlorine, designed to protect you from germs, has the potential to hurt your eyes. The simplest solution for protection is to wear goggles every time you go to swim in a pool, in the ocean or other natural bodies of water, as they contain other contaminants that may hurt your eyes. Frequent exposure to chlorine affects the integrity of your corneal epithelium. The epithelium provides a layer of protection to your cornea from irritants and pathogens. If that protection is compromised, you have an increased likelihood of corneal abrasion or infections.

Don’t play around with eye safety

Summer time lends itself to more outdoor work and play. Whether mowing the lawn, trimming weeds or playing ball, always wear the proper protective eyewear. More than half of all eye injuries occur at home, yet only about one out of every three people wears eye protection when required. Don’t be an eye injury statistic! When participating in outdoor activities such as riding a bicycle, watching fireworks or camping, make sure you protect your eyes with appropriate eye wear. Wear protective goggles or protective eyewear whenever you are working with any kind of toxic chemicals. Take care to handle solutions delicately, so that they do not splash.

Wear Hats

Even if you wear sunglasses every time you go outside, you are not offering complete UVR protection to your eyes and eyelids. Sunglasses usually have gaps along the sides where UVR exposure occurs. While you wear your sunglasses, minimise your risk and add a hat with a wide brim. Consistent use of hats and sunglasses significantly decrease your UVR exposure. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a form of skin cancer that typically affects the eyelids, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. While it most commonly occurs on the lower eyelid, the site of most frequent exposure, it can also develop in the corners of the eye or under the eyebrows. While BCC does not usually spread to other parts of the body, it can certainly spread to the eye itself.

Cotton balls

Dip cotton balls into ice water and lay them on your closed eyes for 10 minutes. This will do magic for your eyes. Do this before you go to sleep and take all the stress out of your eyes.

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