I wrote this review while participating in an Influencer campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. and received a promotional item from Mom Central to thank me for participating.
I am an Arizona native so I know a thing or two about the sun. I even had skin cancer cut from my forehead at the age of 32. The sun and I have a real love/hate relationship. There are times I relish in the sunlight and what it brings, and other times I hide from it and wish for a cloudy day. As a mom I always consider eye health when planning outdoor activities. Everyone thinks of sunscreen but it seems few consider eye health when planning for family time in the sun.
How do you plan for the summer sun? When you venture outside do you bring an umbrella, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen? Those are all great ideas but did you know that reflected ultraviolet (UV) rays from surfaces such as grass, soil, sand, and water can also be harmful to your eyes? The sun’s UV rays can still reach your eyes through the sides of your sunglasses and they can reflect from the ground right up under your hat. This fact makes me glad I wear contact lenses because I can wear sunglasses with a high SPF factor right on top of my eyes that are wearing UV blocking contact lenses. My contact lenses are no substitute for UV blocking sunglasses, but they are an extra layer of protection. I wear ACUVUE because it is the only major brand of contact lenses which blocks approximately 97% of UV-B and 81% of UV-A rays as standard across the entire range of its products.
So why does this all matter? Did you know that sun damage to your eyes is cumulative and irreversible? Eyes that are damaged by the sun’s UV rays are more likely to develop eye problems like cataracts and even reduced vision? Eye protection needs to start early. Children receive three times the annual dose of UV radiation as adults receive. Are you protecting your children’s eyes?
Here is a quick list of some basic ways you can guard against sun damage to your eyes (and skin) this summer:
- Wear a hat.
- Use an umbrella or other cover for extended periods in the sun.
- Wear sunscreen outside even on cloudy days (the UV rays still get through the clouds).
- Wear UV blocking sunglasses.
- If you wear contact lenses be sure they protect from UV exposure.
- Buy bathing suits with SPF.
For more information be sure to visit Fast Facts for Your Health: The Sun & Your Eyes: What You Need to Know. Now get out and enjoy the summer and don’t forget to protect your eyes!
Please note: Although UV-blocking contact lenses are beneficial in helping to protect against harmful UV rays entering into the eye, long-term clinical studies have not been done to show that they directly reduce the risk of any specific eye disease or condition.
About Janice
I’ve burnt my eyeballs more than once and it’s no fun at all. Thanks for the great tips!
My kids hate wearing sunglasses & have a very hard time getting them to keep them on.
Mine were like that at for a while but I really forced the issue. I am the boss lol. Here in AZ it is hard to go outside without them once you get used to them
We all burn here so we have to be very careful in the sun. Thanks for the tips!
Great tips!! I love wearing big sunglasses on the beach but always forget when we are home!
We just bought new sun hats yesterday to prepare for our trip to the beach next week. My daughter’s hat has built in SPF which is great.
Great tips! I am a NY transplant to NC and wow the sun is hot hot here. I avoid it and dress like a crazy person when I am out in it. It makes a woman wrinkle and so many here look terrible. Haha I mean that nicely and can say that since I am related to most of the sun worshipers I know. I will admit I was lax when it comes to eye wear and will remedy that immediately. Thank you for the reminder.
My three year old always runs to grab his sunglasses wherever we go. He tends to get the sun through the front window right on his face, and he hates that! LOL.
You know, I never really consider my eyes when going outdoors. I ALWAYS forget my sunglasses and by the time I’m in the car it’s too late to go back. I’ll have to keep this post in mind on the days I don’t think they’re worth going back for!
I’ve never even thought about sun damage to our eyes! That totally freaks me out – we are going to have to start thinking about these things!
I have been saying that my kids need to wear sunglasses or ballcaps to keep the Florida sun off their faces and out of their eyes, if only they would listen.
I also try to make sure the sunglasses wrap around the sides a bit to protect from that angel as well.
This is so important and I try to impose this on my teens. Protecting your eyes from the sun! So important!
My oldest son is a red head, and his doctor recommended that we always put him in sunglasses. He has been wearing them since he was 1. Never put up a fight either.
I always make sure that my kids are wearing sunglasses. These are great tips!
My Mom had skin cancer, very scary. I never thought about contact lenses, I’ve always just put sunglasses over them.
I have never thought of the impact it could have. I need to get a pair for all of the kids.
Great tips! I just bought prescription sunglasses for this summer. Eye health is important.
I try to get my kids to wear their glasses. They are getting better at it.
Look at those amazing kiddies!!