Summer means longer days, brighter skies, and more time outdoors but it also brings hidden risks that many people overlook: the impact of the sun and environmental factors on eye health. Just as UV rays
can damage your skin, they can also silently harm your cornea, lens, and retina. The good news? Protecting your eyes doesn’t require much effort.
Dr Mandeep Singh Basu, Director, Dr Basu Eye Care Centre, shares five simple, doctor-approved tips to help keep your eyes safe and healthy this summer:
1. Wear Sunglasses with UV Protection, Every Single Day
Not all sunglasses offer the same level of protection. Darker lenses do not necessarily mean better protection. Always look for the UV400 label, which indicates that the lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Whether it’s a ₹200 frame or a ₹20,000 designer pair, checking for UV protection is essential.
Prolonged UV exposure without proper protection is a major risk factor for cataracts, pterygium (a fleshy growth on the white part of the eye), and even macular degeneration later in life. Make wearing sunglasses as automatic as applying sunscreen. Wrap-around or oversized frames provide the best protection, as they also shield the eyes from light entering from the sides.
2. Never Look Directly at the Sun
Looking directly at the sun, even for a few seconds, can cause solar retinopathy, a condition in which the retina gets damaged by solar radiation. Since the retina has no pain-sensitive nerve endings, the damage occurs silently and painlessly, making it particularly dangerous.
The risk increases during solar events and even on cloudy days, when UV radiation remains strong despite the sun appearing less intense. Children are especially vulnerable because they are naturally more curious and sensitive to UV damage than adults.
3. Stay Hydrated and Use Eye Drops When Needed
Summer heat, air conditioning, ceiling fans, and prolonged screen time can dry out the tear film that keeps your eyes lubricated. Dry eyes are more common during summer than many realise. Symptoms may include burning, redness, irritation, grittiness, or even excessive watering, which is the eye’s response to dryness.
Drink at least 8–10 glasses of water daily and keep preservative-free artificial tears handy, especially while travelling, sitting in air-conditioned spaces, or spending long hours in front of screens. Avoid rubbing dry eyes, as this can cause tiny abrasions on the cornea and worsen irritation.
4. Protect Your Eyes While Swimming and Outdoors
Swimming is one of the most popular summer activities, but chlorine in pools can strip away the eye’s natural protective tear layer and cause chemical conjunctivitis, leading to red, irritated eyes.
Similarly, sand particles and sea spray at beaches may carry germs that increase the risk of infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers.
It is always advisable to wear waterproof swimming goggles while in the pool. After swimming, gently rinse your closed eyes with clean, fresh water. Avoid wearing contact lenses while swimming, as lenses can trap harmful microorganisms against the cornea, significantly increasing the risk of serious infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis.
If redness or irritation continues for more than an hour after swimming, consult an eye specialist instead of self-medicating with over-the-counter eye drops.
5. Reduce Digital Eye Strain
Spending more time indoors during summer often means spending more time in front of digital screens. Excessive screen exposure reduces the blink rate, which is necessary for evenly spreading tears across the surface of the eye. This can worsen dryness and eye fatigue, especially in hot weather.
Dr. Basu recommends following the 20-20-20 rule to reduce digital eye strain: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away. This simple habit helps relax the eye muscles and reduces dryness and fatigue.
Summer is meant to be enjoyed, but eye safety should never be ignored. By following these simple habits, you can protect your vision while making the most of the season. UV damage to the eyes is cumulative, meaning every unprotected summer adds up over time.
The choices you make today can help preserve your vision for decades to come. And when in doubt, scheduling a pre-summer eye check-up with your doctor is always a wise idea, because one of the best things you can wear this season is a pair of healthy, well-protected eyes.
