Summer is just around the corner, meaning plenty of sunshine and fun outdoors. You likely protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays with sunscreen, but what about your eyes? From eyewear to diet, below are some of the best practices for keeping your eyes safe from damage during the year's hottest months.

3 Best Practices for Protecting Your Eyes in Summertime

1. Wear Sunglasses

One of the best ways to shield your eyes from the sun's harsh UV rays is to wear sunglasses whenever you're outside. This eyewear provides excellent protection against sunburn to the cornea, called photokeratitis. The condition includes various symptoms like eye discomfort and dryness. When shopping for sunglasses, consider lenses that offer 100% protection against UVA and UVB sun rays. Even if it's cloudy outside, the UV rays can still affect your vision and eye health, so always wear sunglasses outdoors. 

2. Put on a Hat

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat offers several benefits. It is not only fashionable, but it also provides shade for your body and eyes. Though sunglasses offer great protection against UV rays, they work best when paired with a hat with at least a three-inch brim. The shade provided by the cap can minimize your eyes' and skin's UV exposure, reducing the risk of conditions like basal cell carcinoma.

3. Drink More Water

It's easy to get dehydrated in the summer heat, especially when participating in physical outdoor activities. Dehydration affects your vision by making it difficult to produce tears to hydrate the eyes. The lack of tears can result in dry eyes or vision issues. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day this summer. On average, adult men need to drink about 3.7 liters of water a day, while adult women should drink 2.7 liters per day. You could drink several cups of water or continuously sip throughout the day to remain hydrated. 

Head to Cook Inlet Eyewear in Anchorage, AK, if you're searching for the perfect eyewear to protect your eyes from the summer sun. Since 1994, this fully licensed optical shop has provided everything, from colored contacts to children's glasses. Their team included board-certified master opticians, a master contact lens technician, and pediatric specialists. They offer exceptional customer service and excellent eyewear options. Visit them online or call (907) 276-1021 to learn about their services.