Summer on the Gold Coast means long days at the beach, backyard BBQs, and plenty of time outdoors. While most of us are quick to slip, slop and slap - our eyes often get left out of the summer safety routine. Just like our skin, your eyes are vulnerable to heat, UV rays, wind, saltwater, chlorine, and dust. Without the right protection, summer can leave your eyes feeling dry, irritated, or even cause long-term damage.
Check out below for your ultimate guide to keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable this summer.
Why Summer Can Be Tough on Your Eyes
- UV rays: Prolonged exposure increases the risk of pterygiums, skin cancers around the eyes, cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Heat & dry air: Hot days and air conditioning both strip moisture from your eyes, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Dust, pollen & wind: More outdoor time means more exposure to allergens that can trigger red, itchy eyes.
- Pools & saltwater: Chlorine and ocean water can upset your natural tear film, leaving your eyes sore and gritty.
Our Top Tips for Healthy Summer Eyes
1. Invest in Quality Sunglasses
Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Your top choice would be a polarised pair, with most sunnies able to take your prescription. Wraparound styles add extra protection, especially around water or sand where glare is strong.
2. Keep Your Eyes Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you spend a lot of time in air conditioning or outdoors in dry wind, lubricating eye drops can help prevent dryness.
3. Shield Your Eyes While Swimming
Always wear swim goggles in pools and rinse your eyes with fresh water afterwards and avoid rubbing. This helps prevent "swimmer’s eye" caused by chlorine.
4. Protect Your Eyes During Outdoor Work & Sport
Whether it’s mowing the lawn, cycling, or playing cricket, wear protective eyewear to keep dust, debris, and sunlight out of your eyes.
5. Eat for Healthy Vision
Your diet plays a big role in eye health. Include foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E as well as those omega 3s - think leafy greens, carrots, legumes, nuts, and salmon.
6. Watch for Signs of Trouble
Don’t ignore symptoms like persistent redness, irritation, or blurred vision. These could indicate allergies, infections, dry eye, or more serious conditions – indicating it's time to book in for an eye health check.
7. Practice Good Habits
Follow the 20-20-20 rule to ease screen strain (look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes).
Wash your hands before touching your eyes or contact lenses.
Avoid rubbing your eyes - try using a cold compress or lubricating drops instead.
8. Don’t Forget Your Regular Eye Exams
Eye conditions can creep up silently. A routine eye exam helps catch issues early before they become bigger problems. We can't express how important early diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of symptoms are for your vision quality.
A Note on Lifestyle Choices
If you’re looking to improve your overall health this summer, quitting smoking is one of the best steps you might consider taking. Smoking worsens dry eye and increases your risk of cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Summer should be a time of fun, relaxation, and making the most of our beautiful Gold Coast outdoors - not struggling with sore, red, or irritated eyes. With a few simple habits like wearing UV-blocking sunnies, staying hydrated, and protecting your eyes in harsh environments - you can enjoy all this season brings with clear, comfortable vision. And if your eyes ever feel persistently irritated or you notice vision changes, book in with one of our Envision team. We’re here to help keep your eyes healthy all year round.