The sun is arguably one of our best good-humored allies. But beware, it can also be dangerous for our eyes. Ophthalmia (or sunburn of the eyes), conjunctivitis or even early cataracts and ocular edema… The sun’s rays can have a significant impact on the health of our eyes. How do you protect them properly while enjoying the beautiful summer weather? Here are our tips.
Put sunscreen on your eyelids
It is a forgotten area and yet it is necessary to put sunscreen on your eyelids. This part of the face is thinner and therefore extremely sensitive to UV rays, so much so that according to a study published in the journal PLOS OneAbout 10% of skin cancers develop on the eyelids.
To learn more about this topic, we invite you to read this article: Sunscreen: why should we not forget our eyelids?
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The sun’s rays are dangerous to the skin and eyes, so it’s better to stay sheltered when they’re most damaging. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., prefer activities indoors or in the shade.
Choose the right sunglasses
When we talk about eye protection, we immediately think of wearing sunglasses, and rightly so. But you still need to know what type of glasses and contact lenses to wear.
Glasses marked “CE”
This statement is essential: it indicates that your glasses meet the European requirements. In other words: that these are indeed sunglasses that protect against UV rays and not tinted lenses. Never wear these types of glasses which have a perverse effect: their dye opens the pupils but does not block the UV rays. Seriously damaging to your vision for years to come.
Frames that cover the eyes well
Glasses can add a bit of style to your look, but it’s better to focus on protection. If you mainly go to the high mountains or to the sea, choose a model with frames that cover the eyes sufficiently, so that UV cannot penetrate.
A sufficiently protective filter
There are different types of sunscreens ranging from an index of 0 to 4, with 0 being the weakest. However, should you be tempted to take index 4, it is not suitable for all situations: for example, you cannot drive a coach in the car, your view is greatly obstructed and therefore you run the risk of an accident.
For the sea and the mountains, we prefer to equip ourselves with a lens with index 3. If in doubt, ask your optician or optician for advice.
Don’t forget to protect your children
Children under the age of 12 are more sensitive to UV rays than adults. So don’t forget to make them wear sunglasses too.
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