Named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson, Atkinson Hyperlegible font is great for low vision readers. In contrast to […]
It's essential to wear sunscreen every day of the year, regardless of whether it's summer or the cold, not-so-sunny winter months, and whether you're planning on spending time at the beach, on the lake, or even at the park.
But watch out for the agonizing sting when sunscreen seeps into your eyes. Even though sunscreen doesn't permanently damage the eyes, it can cause chemical burns on the eye's surface that can cause discomfort for a few days.
The best way to prevent sunscreen from entering your eyes is to apply it carefully. Use sunscreen lotion slowly and carefully on your face, avoiding your eyes and eyelids. Mineral-based sunscreens, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, adhere to the skin better and are therefore less likely to enter the eye. Avoid applying spray-on sunscreen on your face. Be sure to keep sunblock containers out of the reach of children and apply their sunscreen yourself. You should not allow your child to apply sunscreen themselves since they may rub their eyes without washing their hands first.
You should wipe around your eyes first to remove any excess sunscreen so that it does not happen repeatedly. If you're wiping your eyes, make sure you don't get sunscreen in them.
The next step is to flush your eyes with clean water to remove any sunscreen from them. Flushing your eyes can be done in several ways, including using a syringe or by cupping water in a clean hand and dipping your eye into it, you can also keep your eye open under a gently flowing tap. It's important to remember that, no matter how you flush out your eyes, you're going to feel some discomfort initially, but once it's out the discomfort will subside.
You can also apply a cold compress to ease the pain. Make sure you use preservative-free artificial tears frequently for a few days. Avoid eye drops that contain preservatives, since the chemicals could irritate your eyes further.
The irritation should disappear completely within a few days, depending on the circumstances. But if you are still experiencing irritation, you should visit us at American Family Vision Clinic for a thorough eye exam.
Fortunately, not all sunscreens burn the eyes. There are two types of sunscreens – chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens provide great protection from the sun's harmful UV rays, but many of them can burn if they get near your eyes. The good news is that physical sunscreens also provide great sun protection but do not burn! Don't let the wrong sunscreen spoil your outdoor fun. Look for sunscreens whose only active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Besides protecting yourself from sunburn (if your skin type burns), following are other reasons why you need to wear sunscreen:
If you have tried all the methods listed above to alleviate the pain in your eyes and flush out the sunscreen, but you are still experiencing pain or burn in your eyes, then you may want to schedule an appointment with us for a medical eye exam. To schedule a medical eye exam, call us at (360) 491-2121 or book an appointment here by clicking this link Book an Appointment .
Named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson, Atkinson Hyperlegible font is great for low vision readers. In contrast to […]
Binocular vision refers to the ability of the eyes to work together. The term binocular vision dysfunction describes a misalignment […]
Dry eye symptoms are the main reason that most people stop wearing contact lenses. There are many causes and reasons […]
Monday-Thursday
8:30AM-5:00PM
Friday
8:30AM-3:00PM
Saturday-Sunday
Closed