Effect of Summer on Eyes: How the Hot Summer can Impact your Eyes
- Pushpanjali
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Summer is a time most people look forward to enjoying holidays, longer days, loads of ice cream, and mangoes. While reaching for your sunscreen to protect your skin, have you ever thought about how summer affects your eyes? If you say you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, are you sure if the glasses are potent enough to protect them from harsh UV rays? Along with fashion statements, quality sunglasses are essential to protect eyes from harsh UV rays throughout the year.
One of the overlooked aspect of summer is how increased heat, UV radiation, dust, and dryness can have a direct and sometimes harmful effect on eye health. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "eye heating," a general term used to describe the discomfort or damage that hot conditions can inflict on your eyes.
In this article, we’ll discuss various effects summer has on our eyes, common symptoms people experience, potential complications, and, most importantly, how to protect your eyes during the hot season.
1. Increased UV exposure
One of the most significant risks to eye health during the summer months is the intense exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Just as UV rays can cause sunburns and skin cancer, they can also severely damage the eyes.
Effects of UV on the eyes:
Photokeratitis. Often called "sunburn of the eye," this painful condition occurs when UV rays burn the cornea (the clear front part of the eye). Symptoms include pain, redness, tearing, and a gritty feeling in the eyes.
Cataracts. Prolonged UV exposure is a known risk factor for cataracts, a condition where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, impairing vision.
Macular degeneration. UV damage can accelerate age-related macular degeneration, which leads to vision loss in the central part of the visual field.
Pterygium. This is a growth of tissue on the white of the eye that may extend to the cornea, possibly leading to vision problems if untreated.
2. Dry eyes and dehydration
In hot weather, dehydration becomes a serious concern for both for the body and the eyes too. When the body lacks sufficient water, tear production can be compromised, leading to dry eyes. Air-conditioned environments, wind exposure, long screen time or long periods under the sun can worsen this condition. Whether it's for work or entertainment purposes, digital screens have become the most viewed objects, which contributes to dry eye condition in a great amount.
Symptoms of dry eyes include:
A stinging or burning sensation
Redness and irritation
Feeling like something is in your eyes
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
Dry eyes not only cause discomfort but can also lead to corneal damage over time if left untreated.
3. Eye Allergies and irritants
Summer is also allergy season. Pollen, dust, mold, and pollution levels tend to rise during this time, especially in urban areas. All of these can trigger allergic conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergens.
Signs of allergic eye reactions:
Itchy eyes
Watery discharge
Swollen eyelids
Redness
Frequent blinking or rubbing of the eyes
These symptoms can become more intense when combined with heat and exposure to allergens outdoors.
4. Heat-related eye strain
Eye heating isn’t just about external damage from UV rays or dehydration. Many people experience eye fatigue or strain during summer, especially if they spend long hours in bright sunlight without eye protection. The extra effort your eyes need to make to adjust to high light levels can cause:
Headaches
Squinting
Tired or sore eyes
Difficulty focusing
The glare from roads, water surfaces, or sand can make this even worse
5. Risk of swimming
Summer also brings with it a higher risk of eye infections, especially for those who enjoy frequent swimming sessions. Chlorinated water in pools can irritate the eyes and wash away the tear film that protects the eye surface. On the other hand, natural bodies of water may contain bacteria and viruses that can cause infections.
Common summer eye infections
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye). This is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, often caused by bacterial or viral infections.
Stye. A red, painful lump on the edge of the eyelid, usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Acanthamoeba keratitis. A serious infection more common among contact lens users who swim or rinse lenses with tap water.
6. Contact lens complications
Hot weather can be particularly uncomfortable for contact lens wearers. In the summer, the combination of dry air, increased sweating, and exposure to irritants like dust can cause discomfort, blurred vision, or infections. Wearing contact lenses while swimming is especially risky due to the potential introduction of harmful microorganisms.
7. Digital eye strain in summer breaks
Ironically, summer breaks, especially for students, can also mean increased screen time. More people stay indoors with air conditioning, binge-watch TV shows, or spend hours on smartphones and tablets. This can cause digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome.
Symptoms include:
² Tired, dry, or itchy eyes
² Blurred vision
² Headaches
² Neck and shoulder pain
² Text neck
Tips to protect eyes during summer
Now that we’ve gone through the common effects, here are some practical ways to protect your eyes from the heat and other summer-specific dangers:
1. Wear UV-protective sunglasses
Pick sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound styles offer extra protection by covering the sides of your eyes.
2. Use artificial tears
To combat dry eyes, especially if you’re spending time in air-conditioned spaces or windy areas, use lubricating eye drops to maintain moisture. Carboxymethylcellulose is known to be one of the best compositions used globally to soothe dry eye conditions. EyeSpa eye drops has brought you high-quality carboxymethyl cellulose sodium made specially to combat dry eye conditions.
3. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help maintain overall hydration, including your eyes.
4. Limit allergen exposure
Avoid going out during high pollen times, keep windows closed. Wash your face and rinse your eyes after being outside.
5. Practice pool safety
Always remove contact lenses before swimming. Consider wearing swimming goggles to protect your eyes from chlorine or contaminants.
6. Reduce screen time
Regular breaks while constantly using digital devices can reduce the stress on the eyes. Practising the 20-20-20 rule is cool. For that you need to take a digital screen break every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
7. Wear protective eye-wear
If you’re doing yard work, barbecuing, or playing sports outdoors, wear protective goggles to prevent injuries from debris or accidents.
The summer season, with all its brightness and energy, can silently impact our eyes in significant ways. From exposure to harsh sunlight and UV rays to allergens, dust, and dryness, there are many potential risks. However, with a little awareness and the right protective habits, you can enjoy your summer days without putting your eyes at risk.
Taking care of your eyes is just as important as protecting your skin during the hotter months. So the next time you step out into the sun, don’t forget your sunglasses, keep yourself hydrated, and be mindful of your eye health. After all, your eyes are your windows to the world—let’s keep them clear, healthy, and happy all summer long.
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