Summer is a time many people look forward to, with relaxing vacations and sunny days on the beach or in the mountains. However, to fully enjoy these moments, it is essential to take care of your eye health. The eyes are one of the most precious wonders of the human body. Through them we receive around 90% of the information that helps us understand and interact with the world, allowing us to appreciate breathtaking landscapes, read captivating stories, do sport and share special moments with those we love. Their protection is essential and takes on particular importance on vacation.

Prevent the damage caused by excessive exposure to the sun's rays. Just as we protect our skin, we should also protect our eyes by wearing sunglasses that offer protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Make sure your sunglasses have an appropriate UV filter and completely cover your eyes. And avoid looking directly into the sun without adequate protection, even for brief moments. It can cause very serious and permanent damage to the retina, with irreversible loss of vision.

Dry eye and conjunctivitis are common in summer, due to increased exposure to hot, dry environments, allergens, pathogens or chemicals (e.g. swimming pool water). It is important to avoid self-medication. Persistent symptoms of a foreign body sensation, red eyes, difficulty looking at light (photophobia), excessive tearing, secretions may require the intervention of an ophthalmologist.

Contact lenses and swimming pools don't play well together. It is recommended to avoid wearing contact lenses in the pool, opting instead for suitable swimming goggles to correct the refractive error if necessary. If it really is essential to wear contact lenses, then daily disposable contact lenses are the best option. It's important to pay attention to the symptoms in this case. At the slightest sign of a foreign body sensation or red eye, contact lenses should be removed, and if symptoms persist, treatment should be sought from an eye doctor.

If you play sport, it's essential to prevent accidents, reduce the risk of serious eye injuries and avoid the appearance of sports-related eye diseases. The use of goggles suitable for each sport (such as skiing, snowboarding, cycling, swimming, tennis, boxing, field hockey, among others) is therefore very important. These goggles are designed to be impact-resistant and adequately protect the eyes.

Finally, during the vacations, stick to your usual medication and pay attention to the same symptoms you pay attention to during the year: the appearance of loss of vision, eye pain, flashes or floaters requires observation by an ophthalmologist.

Enjoy the summer with all your joy and energy, but don't forget to take care of what makes every moment possible: your eye health and vision.