Summer sun, pollen, and even swimming can cause eyes to become red, irritated, and itchy. Max Halford, clinical and policy director at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and consultant ophthalmologist Lavnish Joshi tell us more about how to look after your eyes in summer.
Both Joshi and Halford point out that the most common eye problem during summer is ‘allergic conjunctivitis’, which causes itching in the eyes.
Halford explains that summer is the traditional time of seasonal allergies and is the time when some people’s eyes start to become swollen, irritated, red, and itchy. The main symptoms can be grouped together under the heading ‘allergic conjunctivitis’.
“Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint the cause,” he says. “But pollen, especially certain grass and tree pollens, dust mites, and other outdoor allergens are common culprits.”
Allergic conjunctivitis is different from bacterial conjunctivitis, which occurs when the eye comes into contact with bacteria. The symptoms of both are similar, but if the infection is bacterial you may also experience a yellow/green discharge which may cause a crust to form around the eye. There is also a higher possibility of itching in the eyes due to allergic conjunctivitis.
Joshi says that for people who experience dry eyes, their symptoms may worsen in summer or when the room has air conditioning.
Your eyes need care year-round, but allergies from environmental factors like pollen can make your eyes itchy, so they may need a little extra TLC in the summer.
“Avoiding allergens is always a good starting point but sometimes it’s hard to follow the advice,” says Halford. “Of course if it is grass pollen that triggers your allergies, avoiding newly mowed lawns is recommended.”
He recommends using well-fitting sunglasses with the CE mark to show that they are protective against UV rays, as they can also help form a barrier to irritant substances.
Care must also be taken to protect our eyes from the harmful effects of sunlight, especially UV rays, which can have long-term harmful effects on the retina at the back of your eyes.
Speaking of the sun, did you know that UV rays from the sun can damage your eyes just like they do your skin?
Too much UV exposure can lead to eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a common condition that affects the central part of your vision — and cataracts, which result in clouding of the eye’s lens. Similarly, computer screens emit blue light, which is similar to UV and can also damage your eyes with prolonged exposure.
“Too much exposure to UV light can increase the likelihood of certain eye conditions over time, such as clouding of the lens (cataract), growths on the eye (pterygium), and possibly AMD,” says Joshi.
“Looking directly at the Sun, especially during an eclipse, can damage the retina of the eye and lead to blindness.”
Each of these conditions can affect your vision, so it is extremely important that you protect your eyes with sunglasses, which will somehow help prevent itchy eyes by blocking potential irritation.
Joshi suggests that you look for sunglasses with UV400 protection.
Joshi explains that although allergic conjunctivitis cannot be prevented, itching in the eyes can be controlled. This includes taking steps to make sure pollen and other irritants stay out of your eyes.
“Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms can be managed using anti-allergy drops and even the same pills used to manage hay fever,” he says.
“When spending extended periods of time outside, I would recommend that you shower and change clothes as soon as you get home to wash off the pollen. If you’re at home, try to keep windows and doors closed and steam or clean your face a few times throughout the day.”
He also suggests putting some Vaseline around your nose to trap pollen or wearing wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes. If your eyes are particularly sore and itchy after bathing, you can try soothing them with a cool, wet cloth or a few slices of cucumber.
Halford says eye drops can help relieve eye irritation for some people.
He explains: “Ocular lubricant ‘dry eye drops’ are readily available and your local optician will be able to advise on the best product for you. Try to look for ‘non-preserved’ drops as these are less likely to cause any irritation.
“Your local pharmacy will be able to recommend whether topical or systemic antihistamines would be helpful.”
How about taking care of your eyes while you’re swimming – after all, who doesn’t love a dip in a cool pool on a hot day?
If you wear contact lenses, you need to remember that they do not combine well with swimming.
Halford says: “Always remember that contact lenses and water do not mix. Contact lenses should be removed before swimming as contaminated water has the potential to cause serious eye infections.
“Well-fitting glasses work well and are available in a variety of prescriptions when needed.”
Joshi says good eye hygiene is important to avoid eye infections while swimming – both bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis.
“It’s also best to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, especially when outside and if you haven’t washed your hands,” he adds. “This may be a cause of itchy eyes.”
When using communal areas such as swimming pools, maintaining good hand hygiene reduces the chance of contracting infectious conjunctivitis. Wearing goggles in swimming pools can help protect your eyes from chlorine irritation and reduce exposure to infectious agents.
If you find that your eyes feel particularly itchy in the summer, or perhaps you need some medical advice about protecting them, Halford suggests visiting your local opticians.
“They will be able to identify any concerns and offer appropriate advice and guidance to help,” he explains. “Dispensing opticians are there to make sure your glasses and sunglasses are giving you the best protection and fit well. They can provide advice about eye protection all year round.”
