How To Protect Your Eyes This Summer

Summer holidays shopping concept. Young couple of tourists buyin

May 19, 2019

James Ashford

Are UV rays really that harmful to our eyes?

Yes, they sure are!

Before we get into that, what exactly are UV rays?

The sun gives off three kinds of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, but only two make it past the ozone layer in our atmosphere: UVA and UVB rays.

UVB rays are the ones that can cause sunburn (even a ‘nice’ suntan is essentially how the body reacts to damage from harmful UVB rays).

However, it’s both the UVA and UVB rays that can damage our eyes, from short-term exposure, but also over the course of a lifetime.

What happens to your eyes when you get too much sun?

Too much sun exposure (think about being out on a very sunny summer day, or even a very sunny winter day!) can damage the cornea and lead to corneal sunburn (or photokeratitis). Symptoms of this include pain, blurred vision, temporary vision loss, redness, light sensitivity, and tearing.

In the long run, it’s believed that harmful UV exposure time and again can increase a person’s risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration later on in life.

Two other conditions commonly called ‘surfer’s eye’ are pinguecula and pterygium. Pinguecula is when a white or yellow bump forms in the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane covering the front of the eye and lining the inside of the eyelids). Pterygium refers to a growth occurring due to repeated sun exposure. The growth begins on the white of the eye, and can eventually block vision.

How do you prevent sun damage to your eyes?

The only way to prevent photokeratitis is to limit your sun exposure.

One way is to wear eye protection that blocks most of the ultraviolet radiation. That’s why a good pair of sunglasses isn’t just about making a fashion statement. Remember to always wear your sunglasses when you’re outside during the day.

It’s important to check that they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Another way to limit direct exposure to your eyes is by wearing brimmed hats. Again, not just a fashion statement — but an accessory that can help protect your skin and your eyes!

Stay safe this summer!

Sources:

Not sure where to get started with recommending self-funded plans? Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma is pre-paid plan provider with and extensive of specialists who deliver eye care in Tulsa and nationwide with excellent value for employers and plan recipients.

Find out more about our self-funded plans and other flexible options.

GET LASIK DISCOUNT

Learn about benefits of LASIK for Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma members.

Learn more

Let's Talk About You

Let us know if you have any questions or if you’d like to chat.

VCD Teacher Scholarship Success Story

Students spend as many as seven hours a day in a classroom. This environment is crucial to learning and student well-being. Teachers are using creative solutions to transform their classrooms into welcoming environments that are conducive to academic success, but...

Children and Eye Health: When Should Eye Exams Start? How Frequent Should They Be?

Children rely on their senses to explore, grow, and learn. From recognizing familiar faces to developing their memory, sight plays a crucial role in helping children interact with the world. The Importance of Early and Regular Eye Exams for Children The best thing...

Optimizing Patient Experience in Optometry: From Reception to Follow-up

How do you consistently deliver a great patient experience? The most successful optometrists take a deliberate approach to optimizing patient experience by applying optometric management practices. Here are some of the practices you can implement to improve patient...

Patient Relationship Management in Optometry

Building strong patient relationships results in better experiences and outcomes for eye health patients. As an optometrist, you can grow your optometry practice by taking a proactive approach to patient relationship management and implementing proven strategies to...

Transitioning From Professional Silos To True Collaborators in Optometric Practice by Enhancing Interprofessional Communication

Interprofessional communication plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive and patient-centered care. Effective communication among healthcare providers has never been more critical than in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape, where patients often require care...

Three Ways Oklahoma Teachers Can Support Students With Vision-Related Learning Difficulties

In the classroom, every student's journey is different. Some face hidden hurdles in the form of vision-related learning difficulties. However, teachers are uniquely positioned to help identify these hurdles and help the students and parents take steps to overcome...

Smart Strategies to Reduce Screen Time and Address Employees’ Eye Health Concerns

3 MIN. READ In the digital age, people spend more time with their eyes fixed on various devices' screens. This increase in screen time has dramatically increased exposure to harmful blue light radiation and an increased prevalence of different eye health issues,...

Teacher Resource Guide to Vision Health for Students

6 MIN. READ We often associate decreasing vision with aging, but eye health issues are common in school-age children. As an educator, you can make a difference by familiarizing yourself with common symptoms caused by vision problems. You can also connect families to...

Tips for Including Eye Breaks and Visual Exercises in the Classroom

4 MIN. READ Healthy vision among students is a top priority for teachers and a lofty, commendable goal. This blog explores the ease and benefits of incorporating eye breaks and visual exercises into your classroom routine. Implementing these techniques helps Oklahoma...

Preventing, Treating, and Managing Childhood Myopia

Childhood myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common eye health condition that makes far-away objects appear blurry to children. Experts believe it affects as many as 20% of students. While symptoms can vary, myopia often causes issues for school-age children with...

5 Ways to Enhance Your Optometric Practice in 2023

Practice growth is a priority for many Oklahoma vision care providers. Although the average provider's income in Oklahoma is close to $57/hour, the regional income lags behind other parts of the country. Staying ahead of the curve and continuously improving your...

Vision Plans Are a Valuable Employee Benefit Solution

As an employer, you may wonder, “Are vision plans worth it?” Yes, vision plans are valuable employee-benefit solutions that can benefit both your business and your employees. We will explain the different types of vision plans, how they can impact your employees, and...

Smart Contact Lenses Are Coming Soon – Here’s How to Get Them

Smart contact lenses are still in the early stages of development, but they hold enormous potential for the future. They can monitor and manage chronic health conditions, provide real-time feedback during athletic training, or even enhance our daily lives with...

Your Employees Will Love You for Offering Vision Screening

An eye exam is a crucial aspect of maintaining good eye health. It involves a series of tests that assess a person's visual acuity, depth perception, color vision, and eye alignment. The benefits of vision exams are numerous, including early detection of eye diseases,...

How Employers Can Help in the Fight Against Vision Loss

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the economic cost of major vision problems is projected to increase to $373 billion by 2050. Vision-related issues are estimated to impact 20 million Americans. This means that the likelihood that your...

Customer Care and Personalized Vision Plan Access

For individuals and families in Oklahoma and nationwide, eye care health is a significant concern. Brokers play an essential role by helping customers navigate their insurance options and advocating for their best care. Customer care and personalized vision plan...

Are Blue Light Protection Glasses Worth it?

With the advancement of digital devices and the amount of time we now spend in front of them, many people are dealing with eyestrain and fatigue. As a result, blue light protection glasses have become increasingly popular as a way to diminish this stress, and they...

Effective Eye Care for Older Adults Includes These Five Things

Since 1900, the percentage of Americans over 65 has almost quadrupled. Yet, only a handful of these individuals live in institutional settings. Therefore, access to quality healthcare, especially eye care, is an issue. That’s especially true since these providers must...

How important are vision care benefits to employees?

Eye health is essential to our overall wellness, and employee vision plans are an increasingly popular option for employers. However, do employees understand the unique benefits of these plans and why they’re so vital to our health? Employers should understand what...

Stay Ahead of the Competition with These Five Eye Care Industry Trends 2023

The eye care industry is constantly evolving, so providers should stay abreast of the latest trends to be successful in their practice. Here are five key eye care industry trends in 2023 that providers should be aware of and how they can use those trends to better...

What Is Genetic Ophthalmology and What Does It Mean for Eye Health?

Genetic ophthalmology (GO) is an emerging field that could provide more effective treatment for genetic eye diseases such as glaucoma. However, GO also raises some serious concerns that should be addressed as this technology progresses. What is Genetic Ophthalmology?...

Could your Optometrist Practice benefit from a medical scribe? We look at the Pros and Cons

There are many factors needed to make a successful optometric business, and while efficient documentation may seem like just a small part it is a very important one. That's why many vision care providers are considering the use of medical scribes. Scribes, or...

Top 5 KPIs to Track When Assessing Plan Performance and Satisfaction

As a broker, you need to maintain a diverse product portfolio so you can help companies build packages adapted to their needs and budgets. Tracking these 5 key performance indicators when comparing plans will help you better identify the ones that are more likely to...

How to Get Discounts on Frames and Discontinued Lines

Eyewear and contact lenses are vital to the optometry field. Keeping this in mind, doctors should be aware of the purchase costs of these goods to boost their revenue. Frame reps make commissions on sales, so they’re incentivized to sell as much as possible, but are...

Designing a Modern Optometry Practice

One question that optometrists should consider is, “When patients walk into your optometry office, how do you want them to feel?” Naturally, patients desire comfortable, welcoming, and modern environments, as these characteristics put them at ease. Therefore,...

Top 3 Reasons to Work with Smaller Plan Providers

In the healthcare benefits industry, brokers are essential in helping small businesses find plans. Smaller companies might not have the resources or experience to do thorough research into the options available. Fortunately, there are brokers who understand that...

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Adding a New Vision Plan to Your Benefits Package

You want the best for your employees, but searching for eye care in Oklahoma and in any state, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. New regulations are constantly unfolding, vision plans are always evolving, and the needs of your employees are forever changing. What...

3 Signs It’s Time to Review and Upgrade Your Benefits Package

A routine inventory of your benefits package can tell you where you may be able to reduce spending and, equally importantly, can also ensure that it continues to meet the needs of employees. That’s why Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma recommends reviewing your benefits...

Understanding the Ins and Outs of the Vision Plans You Accept

For eye doctors in Tulsa OK, as well as other states, a regular review of the plans you’re currently accepting, and their ins and outs, is something you should be doing. By understanding the vision plans you accept, you can better identify how you are paid and the...

Top Strategies for Helping Plan Providers Meet Their Goals

When trying to reduce healthcare spending, employers who offer employee benefits in the state of Oklahoma, as well as anywhere else, should be aware of one fact: there are options available that don’t increase the costs to employees via high deductibles. As a broker,...

Rethinking How You Offer Value Part 3: Build Digital Connections

The pandemic has sped up the digital transformation. Many professionals are embracing the virtual world because they realize connections matter. We've been sharing tips about how to rethink the way you offer value as a broker who offers plans accepted by an...

eGuide: Top 10 Ways Vision Care Direct Makes a Broker’s Job Easier

Top 10 Ways eGuide - Vision Care Direct Makes a Broker’s Job EasierOur eGuide is chocked full of ways Vision Care Direct can simplify working with a vision plan. When you quote a vision plan certainly you are looking at the price and size of the network, and so is...

Search blog posts