Eye Symptoms You Should Never Ignore During Summer

Summertime often means beach vacations, hiking trips across mountain terrain, or even just weekends by the pool to beat the heat. With longer days and more sunshine, people are often reminded to protect exposed skin from harmful UV rays. But the high temperatures and more time outdoors can also take a toll on your eyes–something many people tend to overlook.

Elvia Canseco, MD of Canseco Eye in Houston says summer temperatures can get stuck in the triple digits for several weeks where she practices. "During these hot months, a person's eyes can be impacted by increased outdoor exposure," she said. (Here's what your eyes can reveal about your health.)

Prolonged sun exposure, windy beaches, allergens, and even chlorine from swimming pools can all irritate the eyes. Summer can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and itchy eyes, making it harder to enjoy your time outdoors. Canseco outlines some of the risks your eyes may encounter in the summer and gives some advice on how to keep your eyes healthy.

That bright summer sun can do damage not only to your skin but also to your eyes. "Light sensitivity or corneal sunburn — this can occur from exposure to the sun and/or from the reflection of the sun off of light beach sand or water," Canseco said. She suggests wearing sunglasses any time you're outside to protect your eyes from UV radiation. This is especially important between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are at their strongest. You don't need to spend a fortune on designer sunglasses, but make sure the lenses are labeled for UVA and UVB protection.

As the warming planet continues to produce some of the hottest summers on record (per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association), it's also important to keep an eye on the day's heat index to avoid heat exhaustion. "Heat exhaustion or dehydration can occur when the weather is warm and can often result in blurred vision, in addition to significant systemic symptoms that may land you in the ER," Canseco said. If you experience blurred vision along with dizziness, muscle cramps, or nausea, it's important to drink fluids and rest in the shade. Canseco says staying hydrated is one of the best ways to prevent heat exhaustion.

A day at the beach can do wonders for your mind, but don't forget about the flying objects that could harm your eyes. And no, not just a beach ball or frisbee (though those can cause injuries, too). "Windy or sandy conditions during a pleasant beach day may cause abrasions to the cornea," Canseco said. "And while a common reaction is to rub the eyes, this can make things worse." If you get sand or debris in your eyes, Canseco recommends seeing your eye doctor to avoid complications.

Seasonal allergies can start as early as spring and linger well into the fall. Canseco says that even if you don't have known allergies, environmental irritants can still affect the surface of your eyes. "Grass, pollen, and dust levels are all elevated in summer months, and other factors like smoke from outdoor BBQs and fireworks can also irritate the eyes during this time," she said. To ease symptoms like itchy or watery eyes, she suggests using artificial tears or antihistamines. If you wear contact lenses, consider changing them daily during the summer to reduce irritation.

If symptoms persist or you notice swelling or crusting around your eyelids, Canseco advises seeing a doctor. "Demodex blepharitis, an overpopulation of microscopic mites, has symptoms that often mirror other ocular conditions, like seasonal allergies," she said. This condition affects about 25 million people in the United States and requires treatment from a medical professional.