Summer is well and truly upon us, and with restrictions lifting, as well as school holidays on the way, there’s never been a better time to ensure you and your family’s eyes are prepped and ready to enjoy all this season has to offer!

To help you get started, our expert team have come together to compile 5 eyecare tips for summer – read on to find out more…

1. Wear Sunglasses

This may seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised at how many people still go out and about in bright sunlight without a pair of shades on! Wearing good quality sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection is essential when outdoors. UV rays can penetrate your eyes even on slightly overcast days, with intense or continuous exposure contributing to short and long-term damage to your eyes.

See our previous blog for more information on the types of eye conditions that prolonged UV exposure can cause.

This means it is important for both adults and children to wear sunglasses whenever the sun is out – children are more vulnerable to UV damage as their eyes let more light in, so the earlier they start learning to wear them and keep them on, the better!

Our dispensing team highly recommends wraparound style sunglasses, as they offer the best all round protection.

2. Beat that Glare

Aside from UV exposure, did you know that bright glare from the sun can also hinder your vision? This horizontal glare is created when sunlight bounces off flat surfaces like a body of water, your car bonnet, and even snow, reflecting straight into your eyes. Not only does this cause you to squint and experience eye strain, but sometimes this bright glare can even temporarily blind you. This can be especially dangerous when driving as you won’t be able to see what’s coming on the road in front of you.

So, what’s the solution? We advise investing in polarised lenses for your sunglasses, as they are designed specifically to eliminate horizontal glare, allowing you to enjoy clear, comfortable, high contrast vision with minimal eye strain. Polarised lenses also enhance the colours around you and improve your depth perception, making it easier for you to enjoy summer in all its glory wherever you are!

3. Keep those Shades Clean

Summer is all about being outside, whether you’re basking in the sun on a beach or the park or hiking in the countryside taking in nature’s wonders. It’s inevitable then that suntan lotion, sand and even dirt will get onto your glasses or sunglasses, which can obstruct your vision.

We recommend keeping a microfibre cloth and mini cleaning spray in your bag so you can keep your lenses smudge and scratch free. This will also help them to last longer, so you can save your pennies on eyewear in the long run!

4. Use Eye Drops

Hot, dry heat equals drier eyes, and we can safely say that in all our years of looking after eyes, we know that no one enjoys experiencing irritation, soreness, or stinging eyes throughout the day!

So, do carry a little bottle of eye drops with you when out and about to keep your eyes moist. If you are a contact lens wearer, preservative free eye drops are the best option, but always check with our optometrist, Mr Kasmani first, so he can advise which ones will be best to use according to your individual needs.

5. Avoid Wearing Contact Lenses in Water

Swimming pools, jacuzzis, the ocean, or fresh water – these are all perfect breeding grounds for microorganisms to enter your eyes and latch onto your contact lenses, causing irritation and potentially serious bacterial infections.

To avoid these from developing, we would advise you to not wear contact lenses while in water. However, if you don’t get on with glasses and need to wear your lenses to see clearly, then donning a well fitted pair of wraparound sunglasses that prevents water from getting into your eyes, or swimming goggles to see clearly underwater are great alternatives. This means you’ll be able to do the things you love and have peace of mind knowing your eyes are safe too!

Our team are fully qualified frame stylists and have years of experience in recommending the right sunglasses lenses for your visual and lifestyle needs. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of shades, or want to upgrade to polarised lenses, we’re here to help you find the perfect match.

Contact us to book in your frame styling consultation, view our extensive sunglasses collections, get advice about eye drops, or your contact lens options today, so we can start the journey to transforming your summer vision!