Your eyecare guide for family holidays
When it comes to family holidays, there are plenty of things to think about and we want to take the question of how to keep your eyes healthy off your plate. Read on to discover our easy eye health tips for the whole family.
UV Protection
First and foremost, make sure everyone in the family has a good quality pair of sunglasses with full UV protection. UV rays can be very damaging to your eyes. As the negative effects can build up over time, it’s important to start wearing shades from a young age. Wraparound frame styles offer the best coverage while polarised lenses are ideal to cut out glare.
Wear a Hat
Wearing a cap or a hat with a wide brim is a great way to keep the sun out of your eyes, shielding angles that your sunglasses alone may not fully cover, plus it protects your head from the sun’s strong rays.
Mind Your Fingers
You should never put your fingers near your eyes without washing them first. However, during the summer, the added combination of sunscreen on your fingers instinctively reaching to get rid of sand or other small bits of debris out of your eyes can easily lead to stinging. Washing your hands thoroughly before cleaning your eyes with clean water or eye drops should set things right again.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is important for many health reasons, including eye health. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes, an uncomfortable sensation that leaves your eyes feeling dry and scratchy. So, it’s important especially in hot weather to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Wear Goggles
If you or the kids are going swimming either in the sea or a pool, swimming goggles are the best way to protect your eyes, especially if you’re a contact lens wearer. Not only can chlorine in the pool cause stinging, but there are also certain microorganisms that can survive the chemicals which can be harmful, causing nasty eye infections.
As for the sea, salt water itself is an irritant for your eyes, so you should try and keep your head out of the water if you can’t wear goggles or wear secure sunglasses that can help deflect some of the water.
Regular Eye Exams
For peace of mind, why not arrange eye exams for the family before your trip? Eye exams not only check your vision but also your eye health too, so we can address and find solutions to any problems as early as possible.
If you’re wondering, ‘where can I book an eye exam near me?’, we can help. As independent opticians serving the Kensal Rise and Queens Park areas, we offer both private and NHS eye exams. Contact us to make an appointment today.