From lawnmowers to lidos: The summer activities that Preston experts say can catch your eyes out
Firing up the barbecue, finally tackling those garden jobs and having an evening around the firepit - summer is packed with activities that help us make the most of longer, brighter days. But did you know that common, everyday activities can sometimes lead to unexpected eye injuries?
While most people apply sunscreen to protect their skin, Optegra Preston warns that many neglect eye protection during lawn mowing, hedge trimming, and DIY projects. Dust, debris, and small particles can easily enter the eyes and cause irritation or infection.
Smoke from barbecues and fire pits can also irritate eyes, while chlorinated swimming pools may leave them dry, uncomfortable, and at risk of infection.
Optegra patient Mel Fallowfield experienced these risks firsthand after developing a painful eye ulcer linked to swimming while wearing contact lenses. "I swim every morning before work and always have my lenses in. I had no idea it was so dangerous," she said. "I was told that if I had left the ulcer any longer it could have blinded me."
Following lens replacement surgery, Fallowfield returned to her daily swimming routine. "Within just weeks of having the operation I was back in the pool. It's no exaggeration to say the operation has been life-changing," she said.
Optegra Chief Medical Officer Amir Hamid explained that many summer eye problems are linked to seasonal activities people don't necessarily associate with eye health. "Something as simple as mowing the lawn can send small particles airborne and into the eyes," he said. "Swimming in contact lenses can increase infection risk, as bacteria and microorganisms in water can become trapped between the lens and the eye."
Hamid added that most summer eye injuries and irritations are preventable with simple precautions. "A few basic steps can help everyone enjoy the season while keeping their eyes comfortable and healthy," he said.
Optegra recommends wearing protective eyewear for DIY and gardening; positioning seating away from smoke at barbecues and fire pits; removing contact lenses before swimming or wearing prescription goggles; staying hydrated with water and lubricating eye drops; and seeking professional advice if symptoms persist.
Hamid noted that summer can highlight practical challenges of relying on glasses or contact lenses, prompting some to explore longer-term options such as laser eye surgery. "The most important thing is understanding what options are available and choosing the solution that's right for you," he said. "We offer detailed consultations to discuss options if you are suitable for vision correction treatment."
Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist ophthalmic provider established in 2007, operating 74 eye hospitals across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Holland. It has completed over one million eye procedures. Services include vision correction treatments, cataract surgery, and treatment for medical conditions including AMD and glaucoma. Optegra performs more than 170,000 treatments annually and is owned by EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in vision care products and med-tech solutions.