Beech Tree News Network

Summer is the usual season for having fun and doing outdoor activities, but Morgantown residents must remember to be careful of the heat. Through its seasonal temperature outlook, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that Kentucky is leaning toward a hotter-than-average summer. More than just discomfort and sunburn, this above-average temperature can pose risks to eye health due to prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The adverse effects can range from dry eyes and eye allergies to severe eye problems like cataracts.

Aside from the heat and UV rays, the eyes can also be exposed to outdoor elements like dirt, sand, wind, and pollution. Eye doctors thus advise individuals to take the following precautions to promote eye health and safety when spending time outdoors.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat

Wearing a hat can block nearly half of the UV light from reaching and penetrating the soft tissue of the eye. As an added bonus, for those planning to join fishing tournaments like the recently concluded Tackle the Green Fishing Tournament held at the Green River, wide-brimmed hats can also help shield the eyes from glare. This improves visual clarity for angling and spotting fishing targets.

Aside from the brim length, it’s also recommended to look at the hat’s style and design. Sun hats, bucket hats, and legionnaire styles are all excellent for maximum protection, while baseball caps are less preferred since they only cover the scalp and the forehead. Certain hat fabrics also have an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), with a UPF rating of 50+ blocking about 98% of UVA and UVB rays.

Slip on a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses

A pair of quality sunglasses is also advisable to reduce UV exposure and the risk of eye disease. Sunglasses must be worn at all times when outdoors and not only when it's sunny because they also help prevent debris from getting into the eye and scratching the cornea.

Meanwhile, individuals with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism do not have to compromise protective eyewear, as they can get prescription sunglasses for combined UV protection and vision correction. Top brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley offer prescription options for their frames, with various styles like wraparounds and aviators and lens types like polarized and tinted. Some places even let you customize your sunglasses so the style and protection can perfectly suit your needs and preferences.

Wear goggles for underwater adventures

Although going in the water for adventures like swimming and snorkeling can be refreshing, bodies of water may be contaminated with bacteria or microorganisms. These can damage the cornea or tear film, raising the potential for eye irritation and infection.

Whether you're taking a dip at the Green River Lake State Park or the public city pool, the best way to protect the eyes is to wear swimming goggles. Eyewear brand Lensmart has recently released 23 types of goggles to suit various outdoor activities and eye care needs, ranging from competitive goggles with rounded frames for better vision to open water goggles with flat lenses and a nonadjustable nose bridge for optimal comfort.

Avoid playing with fireworks

For Morgantown residents, summertime can be synonymous with celebrations like the Green River Catfish Festival, typically held from July 1 to 4. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology strongly advises individuals against playing with fireworks and sparklers, especially around the Fourth of July. Unsafe handling and malfunction of fireworks were reported to have caused 9 deaths and 11,500 cases of eye injuries in 2021 alone. Regardless of how careful you are, it’s best to leave pyrotechnics up to the professionals and simply enjoy public displays as part of yearly festivities.

The eyes are essential to day-to-day tasks and functions, so everyone must adhere to the safety precautions listed above to not only make the most out of outdoor summer activities. More importantly, such protective behaviors ensure long-term eye health.