Protecting your eyes in summer
Published July 3, 2026
Summer is the season when our eyes are put to the test the most — and, paradoxically, the one when we protect them the least. Between sunlight reflected off water and sand, air conditioning in offices and cars, swimming with contact lenses and long days outdoors, both the surface and the deeper structures of the eye are under considerable strain.
The good news: a few simple habits are enough to keep your eyes healthy all summer long. As an ophthalmologist, I explain what really happens and which steps matter — from sunglasses to sunscreen, air conditioning and contact lenses at the pool.
Five habits — to remember
If you remember only one thing from this article, let it be these five steps. Simple and inexpensive, they protect your eyes from the main hazards of the summer season.
UV400 sunglasses
Look for the "UV400" or "100% UV" label and the CE mark — not the color or the price.
Hat & shade
A wide-brimmed hat complements sunglasses and protects the eyelids during peak sun hours.
Sunscreen on the face
The eyelids are among the areas at risk of skin cancer: don't forget them, but stay away from the lashes.
Watch the A/C
Airflow away from your face, screen breaks and artificial tears for stinging eyes.
No contact lenses in the water
Pool, sea, shower: water and contact lenses don't mix. Otherwise, daily disposables + swim goggles.
The sun and your eyes — what UV rays really do
We instinctively think of protecting our skin from the sun, but rarely our eyes. Yet ultraviolet rays affect the eye both immediately and over the long term.
Short term: a "sunburn" of the eye
Brief, intense UV exposure — typically a day at the beach, at sea or in the mountains without protection — can cause photokeratitis: a superficial inflammation of the cornea, comparable to a sunburn of the eye. It appears a few hours after exposure, with pain, a gritty sensation, sensitivity to light and watering. It generally heals on its own within one to two days, but is very uncomfortable [1].
The danger is often underestimated because UV rays are reflected: water, light-colored sand and especially snow send a significant share of the radiation back toward your eyes, even in the shade of a beach umbrella.
Long term: a cumulative effect
Year after year, sun exposure contributes to several eye conditions recognized by the World Health Organization: cataract (clouding of the lens), pterygium (a growth of the conjunctiva nicknamed "surfer's eye") and skin cancers of the eyelids [1].
Choosing the right sunglasses
Rule number one: the tint of the lens tells you nothing about UV protection. They are two different things. A lens can be very dark and still not filter ultraviolet light — and that is the worst-case scenario, because the darkness dilates the pupil and lets in more UV than with the naked eye [2].
What really matters:
- The UV filter: look for the "UV400" or "100% UV" label, which blocks rays up to 400 nanometers [2].
- The CE marking, which certifies compliance with the European standard for sunglasses.
- The tint category (0 to 4): category 3 is suitable for strong summer sunshine; category 4, very dark, is reserved for high mountains and must not be worn while driving.
- Size and shape: wraparound lenses limit the rays that come in from the sides.
Good news: an affordable, properly certified pair protects just as well as a luxury model.
Sunscreen on the face — don't forget your eyelids
Eyelid skin is the thinnest on the body, and it is an area we almost always forget when applying sunscreen.
Why it matters
The eyelids and the area around the eye account for a notable share of facial skin cancers. About 5–10% of skin cancers occur on the eyelid, basal cell carcinoma being by far the most common type, and ultraviolet exposure is a recognized risk factor [3].
That is a good reason not to neglect this area when you apply sun protection to your face.
How to apply it without irritating the eye
- Apply sunscreen to the eyelid and the surrounding skin, staying away from the lash line, so that it does not run into the eye and sting.
- Choose mineral filters (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), which are often better tolerated on this sensitive skin.
- Reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
Above all, remember that the most effective protection remains physical: a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses naturally shade this delicate area [3].
Air conditioning, fans and dry eyes — summer's invisible enemy
Every summer, patients come to the practice with red, stinging or watering eyes — without having spent a minute in the sun. The culprit: dry, circulating air.
What happens on the surface of the eye
Your eyes are protected by a tear film, a thin layer of tears that moistens and lubricates them with every blink. Air conditioning and fans dry the air and speed up the evaporation of this film. In laboratory conditions, exposure to very dry air is enough to disrupt tear stability and increase tear evaporation [4].
The result is seasonal dry eye: a gritty sensation, stinging, and eyes that, paradoxically, start watering to compensate.
The screen effect, which makes everything worse
On vacation as at the office, we spend a lot of time on screens. And in front of a screen, we blink much less often — blink rate can drop sharply. Fewer blinks in air-conditioned air, and the tear film becomes unstable all the faster.
My practical tips
- Direct the airflow of the air conditioning (and the fan at night) away from your face — never into your eyes.
- In the car, avoid pointing the air vents toward your eyes, especially on long drives.
- Follow the break rule in front of screens: regularly look away at a distant point, and make a conscious effort to blink.
- Keep artificial tears (tear substitutes) at hand to rehydrate the surface of the eye when needed.
- Drink enough: good overall hydration also helps your tear film.
If the discomfort persists despite these measures, a consultation can look for the cause — in particular blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, which may sometimes call for IPL treatment.
Contact lenses at the pool and the beach — the precaution that really matters
This is the point I stress most with my contact lens–wearing patients. The "I'll keep my lenses in to swim" habit is very widespread, and it is not harmless.
The risk: Acanthamoeba
Water — whether in a pool, the sea or a lake, but also tap water and shower water — can contain a microorganism called Acanthamoeba. In contact with a lens, it can adhere to the eye and cause Acanthamoeba keratitis: an infection of the cornea that is rare but serious, painful and sometimes sight-threatening [5].
Contact lens wearers are by far the most affected. That is why health authorities recommend never exposing contact lenses to water [5][6].
The right steps on vacation
- Ideally, do not wear your contact lenses to swim. A pair of prescription glasses, or prescription swim goggles, are good alternatives.
- If you cannot do without them, choose daily disposable lenses, thrown away immediately after swimming, worn under well-sealed swim goggles.
- Remove your lenses before showering and before any prolonged contact with water.
- Never rinse or store your lenses in tap water: use only the recommended lens care solution.
- If your eye is red, painful or sensitive to light after swimming with lenses, see a doctor without delay.
Your questions about eyes in summer
No. What protects your eyes is neither the price nor the color of the lens, but the UV filter. Look for the "UV400" or "100% UV" label, and the CE marking, which certifies compliance with the European standard. Affordable, properly certified sunglasses protect just as well as luxury models. Conversely, very dark lenses without a certified UV filter can be counterproductive: behind the dark lens, the pupil dilates and lets in more ultraviolet light.
It is not recommended. Water — pools, the sea, lakes, but also tap water and showers — can contain a microorganism, Acanthamoeba, which causes a rare but serious infection of the cornea. Contact lenses help it adhere to the eye. Health authorities advise never exposing contact lenses to water. If you cannot do without them, choose daily disposable lenses thrown away immediately afterwards, worn under watertight swim goggles, and take them out before showering.
Air conditioning does not damage the eyes, but it dries the air and speeds up the evaporation of the tear film, causing stinging, a gritty sensation and watery eyes. The effect is worse in front of a screen, because we blink much less often. Direct the airflow away from your face, take regular breaks, remember to blink and use artificial tears if needed.
Yes, and it is worthwhile, because the eyelids are a common site of sun-related skin cancers. Apply sunscreen to the eyelid and the skin around the eye while staying away from the lash line, so that it does not run into the eye and sting. Mineral filters are often better tolerated on this thin skin. The best protection, however, remains physical: a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses.
Yes. A child's lens, more transparent than an adult's, filters less ultraviolet light, and sun exposure is cumulative throughout life. UV400-certified sunglasses that fit their face, a hat and shade during the hottest hours are excellent habits from an early age.
Intense UV exposure, often reflected by water, sand or snow, can cause photokeratitis: a genuine superficial "burn" of the cornea. It appears a few hours later with pain, sensitivity to light and watering, and usually heals on its own within one to two days. However, any intense or persistent eye pain, or pain with reduced vision, should prompt a quick visit to an ophthalmologist.
A concern, or discomfort that won't go away?
If your eyes remain red, dry or painful despite these precautions, don't let it drag on. I see patients at Cabinet OPHTALIFE in Boulogne-Billancourt, next to Paris, for a complete examination of the ocular surface and your vision.
Related pages
Scientific references
This article is based on the recommendations of leading health organizations and on verifiable scientific publications.
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1
World Health Organization (WHO). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation — effects on the eye: photokeratitis, cataract, pterygium, skin cancers. who.int
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2
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Recommended Types of Sunglasses — UV400 protection and eye health. aao.org
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3
Ocular basal cell carcinoma: a brief literature review. Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelids and ultraviolet exposure. Onco Targets Ther / PMC.
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4
Intraocular Scattering, Blinking Rate, and Tear Film Osmolarity After Exposure to Environmental Stress. Effect of low humidity on the tear film. Transl Vis Sci Technol / PMC.
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5
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), EyeNet. Risk of Acanthamoeba Keratitis in Contact Lens Users — water and contact lens wear. aao.org
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6
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Acanthamoeba Keratitis — risk factors and prevention (keep water away from contact lenses). cdc.gov
The content of this website is for information purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. Any treatment decision should be made together with your ophthalmologist.