Cocoons Summer Eye Care Tips

From the Live Eyewear HQ in San Luis Obispo, CA, it looks like rain. The one palm outside looks pulled slant in the wind, and silver clouds are churning over the Los Osos Valley. It’s tough to imagine summer’s just around the corner, but I’ll take heart all the same in knowing that’s the case. Myself, I’m looking forward to some sunshine, some grilling, and, unapologetically, some traces of Jimmy Buffett tunes carried on the breeze.

With the daylight reaching further and further into evening, we’ll be able to enjoy more and more time in the sun. Too often, however, folks can forget just how vulnerable our eyes are to different types of damage during the summer months. Whether we’re out on the boat or the town, it’s crucial we do what we can to keep taking care of our eyes.

So in the spirit of a fun, healthy summer, we’ve comprised a quick list of summer eyecare tips you can use whether you’re out for a morning hike, duking it out in 4^th of July traffic, or enjoying some silence on some strip of sand.

TIP 1: WEAR SOME SHADES

I’ll run the plug up front: sunglasses are good for you; they’re like sunscreen for your eyeballs. And Cocoons are designed to give you the most effective sun protection possible. We’ve developed our fitovers to protect your eyes with our polarized, UV400 optical-grade lenses, and we’ve designed our frames with a signature brow bar and undercarriage to provide additional coverage for the sensitive skin around your eyes, where people often neglect to apply sunscreen. Which brings us to our next tip…

TIP 2: APPLY YOURSELF

Liberally and often. Sure, this might not circle back to your eyes specifically (and in fact you probably shouldn’t put/spray sunscreen into your eyes), but sunscreen is critical when it comes to protecting your skin in the sun. Studies show you should put some sunscreen on every two hours.

TIP 3: PUT A LID ON IT

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can put really help shield your face, neck, eyes, and eyelids from UV rays. Plus, you’ll look like Joni Mitchell, and she’s awesome. The sun’s at its most intense from 10am-3pm, so having some protection up top will help you stay shady and safe while the sun shines overhead.

TIP 4: EAT WELL

Believe it or not, studies show that eating foods high in Vitamins C and E as well as Zinc can help slow or prevent the progression of symptoms of macular degeneration. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that can actually do the same. For some Vitamin E, almonds and sunflower seeds are a good source. Broccoli and strawberries are good for some Vitamin C. Spinach, ever the nutritional heavy hitter, is packed with everything above; leafy greens use lutein and zeaxanthin to absorb excess sunlight during photosynthesis. And guess where else you can find these two impossible-to-say carotenoids? That’s right—absorbing excess light in your macula! So, when you’re eating healthy, you’re contributing to the overall health of your body, including your eyes.

TIP 5: DRINK A BUNCH 

OF WATER! We all know we have to drink water. It’s easy to forget to do so when you’re out having fun, but hydration is real important for your overall health. In terms of eye health, when your body is dehydrated, it doesn’t produce as many tears. This can lead to dry eye symptoms and overall scratchy, uncomfortable eyes. Drinking water is one good way to keep your body and eyes healthy overall.

 

So there you have it. These are just a few quick tips to help you keep your eyes running smooth in the sun and heat. Here’s to a good summer, folks. If you’ve got any good summer eyecare tips or any tasty, nutritious recipes—and especially the recipes!—let us know!