Top tips for protecting your eyes while on holidays
Whether you are enjoying the Australian summer or chasing the snow overseas, we want to make sure you are prepared so your eyes are performing at their best.
Holidays are essential for rest and relaxation; however it is when our guard is down that we may be more susceptible to incidents involving our eyes and vision. Looking after your eyes involves both protecting them from risks and taking proactive steps to ensure their performance in the future.
Sun Protection
For decades ‘being smart in the sun’ campaigns have raised awareness about the dangers of sun exposure. But do we protect our eyes as much as we protect our skin, particularly when our eyes are 10 times more sensitive?
Even on cloudy days, we should wear high protection sunglasses to reduce the UV radiation reaching our eyes. This is to protect ourselves from eye diseases such as degeneration of the retina, damage to the cornea, cataracts, macular degeneration and skin cancer around the eyes. Children and young adults can be more vulnerable to sun-induced eye damage. We receive 80% of our lifetime’s exposure to UV before our 18th birthday, so developing good eyewear protection habits should start early.
At Beckenham Optometrist, we generally recommend lens category 3 classifications for a high level of sun glare and good UV protection and the appliance of sunscreen, especially to areas of skin surrounding the eye. Regardless of if you are travelling to Japan’s ski slopes or enjoying the Indonesian summer, the threat of skin cancer is always prevalent, and sunglasses and sunblock should be the first two items packed in your suitcase.
Consult with one of our Optometrists if you suffer from dry eye
If you suffer from dry eyes, we encourage you to be prepared when traveling as there are many factors that can aggravate your dry eye symptoms. It is recommended that your eyes need 50% moisture content in the air for optimal comfort. When travelling via airplane, the pressure controlled environment and lack of moisture with humidity levels often are below 20%, can cause flare-ups over time that will result in blurry vision or burning, itchy, watery and irritated eyes. If you are visiting a cooler location, in the winter and in other dry environments, humidity levels can drop below 10%, causing symptoms of dry eye to emerge.
It is important that you pack the right eye lubricants in your travel bag. We recommend seeing us for an eye examination before your trip so we can recommend the appropriate solutions to sooth and help protect your eyes.
Always pack your prescription glasses and current script
There is nothing worse than being stuck in another country and not being able to see anything. Regardless of if you’re a contact lens wearer or not, make sure your spectacle lenses are packed along with a copy of your prescription in case of emergencies.
Eye protection for sport or other activities
With a reported 8% of eye injuries a result of sporting activities, we encourage everyone to wear appropriate eye protection when engaging in physical activities, especially while overseas. A simple pair of protective glasses or sunglasses can make all the difference between preventing an eye injury or spending the day in the emergency room.
Whether you chase activities or are just relaxing on the beach this January, make sure before you leave for your trip to book in for an eye exam or visit our
Beckenham Optometrist has been operating in Avalon for 20 years. The team is passionate about delivering the best possible eye care to the community. Beckenham Optometrist can be contacted on 9918 0616 and is located at 25 Old Barrenjoey Rd Avalon.
