Residents advised to protect their eyes against the sun

As we are nearing the festive season residents tend to spend a lot of time in the sun.

Optometrist Dr Mike Manolas urges residents to be extra careful about exposing their eyes to the hot summer sun.

“It is advisable for residents to wear glasses with high Ultra-Violet light (UV) protection.

“Another way to protect your eyes from the blazing summer sun is to wear hats. They will provide the extra defence you need to guard your eyes from the sun’s rays.

According to Manolas, water is another essential factor in protecting your eyes from the sun, as it keeps your eyes hydrated.

“Consuming a minimum of eight glasses of water a day will keep your both your skin and eyes hydrated

“Many of us wear trendy sunglasses thinking that they protect us from UV rays only to find out that the sunglasses are not 100% UV protected and as a result this is causing more damage than good to your eyes,” he said.

He says as much as people love to be in the sun during summer, they must remember that the sun is at its strongest in the morning and afternoon, so they must try and avoid it during those times, as much as they can.

Manolas advises that it is essential to get your eyes tested once a year or once every two years.

“People must remember that they only have one pair of eyes, so they must look after them,” he said.