5 Eye Care Tips to Practice During Your Next Beach Reading Experience

This post is written by Beverly J Doss, about eye-care and reading on the beach.

Reading on the beach is an experience cherished by many individuals. The allure of beachside reading stems from a variety of reasons, such as escapism, connecting with nature, sensory delight, and unplugging from technology. This tranquil pastime allows individuals to embrace relaxation while igniting their imagination and intellectual curiosity. Try picking up a book filled with fantasy elements that can transport you to a different world and engross you for hours on end. Or better yet, make the most of your beachside reading and enhance your experience with a book featuring a beach setting, such as Pippa’s Island: The Beach Shack Café.

However, Cancer Council Australia notes that UV radiation from prolonged sun exposure during this activity can cause short-term eye issues and lead to permanent eye damage if left unchecked. The presence of sand, saltwater, and wind increases the likelihood of experiencing dry and irritated eyes. So, as delightful as beachside reading is, it is important to keep in mind the potential risks to our eyes and take measures to protect them while indulging in this activity. Here are a few things you can do to care for your eyes the next time you read on the beach:

Wear protective sunglasses

First and foremost, it is crucial to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while reading on the beach. The best way to do this is by wearing protective eyewear. To ensure optimal protection of your eyes, invest in a pair of sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection. Another feature to prioritise in sunglasses, especially for the beach, is large frames or wraparound designs. That way, you can physically block sand particles, saltwater, and wind from entering and irritating your eyes as you read. For the best beach reading experience, ensure your sunglasses have polarised lenses that can reduce glare and improve visibility. Sportswear brand Oakley Eyewear offers sunglasses like the Holbrook or Half Jacket with all the features above that you can consider for enhancing your beach reading experience.

Prescription sunglasses

If you need glasses to read, then a pair of prescription sunglasses is advisable. It is possible to pair your contact lenses with a normal pair of sunglasses, but contacts are not recommended at the beach. Sand, sunscreen, and the sea can all cause problems for those wearing contacts, and even if you head to the beach just to read, you’re still at risk. A pair of prescription sunglasses can offer all the benefits we outlined in the previous section but also ensure you can focus on your latest chapter without squinting or the threat of the issues caused by contacts at the beach. Most sunglasses can be purchased with prescription lenses, including the aforementioned Holbrook and Half Jacket by Oakley.

Stay in the shade

While at the beach, always be mindful of the sun’s position. As much as possible, try to position yourself in an area with shade, such as under beach cabanas or palm trees, and avoid getting any direct sunlight on your book. Even with protective eyewear, direct sunlight can still cause glare that makes it harder to read and ultimately strain your eyes. If finding shade is not possible, use a beach umbrella or wear a wide-brimmed hat to create a personal shaded area. Australian company Solbari specialises in sun protection hats with UPF protection, such as their Wide Brim Beach Hat UPF50+. Consider using it to shield your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun, providing both protection against UV rays and a more comfortable reading experience.

Use lubricating eye drops

Another useful habit to cultivate for beach reading is the use of lubricating eye drops or artificial tears. These drops help alleviate dryness and irritation that can be much more intense on the beach due to prolonged exposure to multiple factors like sun, wind, sand, and saltwater. Brands like Visine have created eye drops called Summer Spectrum Relief that you can try. They’re specifically recommended for poolside and beachside use to relieve the eye irritation and redness that may occur in those settings. You can also try blinking frequently alongside eye drops, use greatly reduces the evaporation of the natural tear film and keeps the eyes moisturised. These simple practices play a significant role in maintaining good eye health and preventing discomfort while reading on the beach.

Take regular breaks

Remember to take regular breaks from reading, especially when you’re on the beach. When engrossed in a captivating book, we often forget to give our eyes some rest. A simple trick you can follow is the 20-20-20 rule, where you focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Consistently practising this exercise lessens the risk of eye strain, eye fatigue, and dry eyes. Moreover, stretching and moving around every few minutes to get some blood flowing to the eyes and the rest of the body is also equally beneficial. If needed, set alarm reminders on your phone to ensure these breaks, and participate in other beach activities with your loved ones during your breaks to keep a healthy amount of blood flow throughout your beach stay.