Living on the Grand Strand means more sunshine, more time on the water, and — if we are honest — more ways to give your eyes a hard time. A few easy habits keep them healthy so you can enjoy all of it. Your future eyes will thank you.
UV exposure adds up over a lifetime and raises the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, and our beach sun is no joke. Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays whenever you are outdoors — yes, even on cloudy days, since UV passes right through the clouds. A wide-brimmed hat adds excellent backup coverage. Bonus: squinting less means fewer of those sun-related crow’s feet, too.
Saltwater and chlorine can leave your eyes red and irritated, and a stray grain of sand can scratch the surface. Try not to rub, rinse gently with clean water or saline afterward, and resist swimming in your contacts — pool and ocean water carry microbes you do not want trapped against your eye. If irritation lingers, give us a call.
Polarized sunglasses are a game-changer for boaters, anglers, and golfers, cutting the glare off water and turf. If you play contact sports or pickleball (it is everywhere now), protective sports eyewear is worth every penny — eyes do not heal like skin. We carry sun and sport options built for exactly the way Myrtle Beach lives outdoors.
Yes. Most UV radiation passes through clouds, so your eyes are still exposed even when the sun is hiding. Make sunglasses a year-round habit.
It is best not to. Water — ocean, pool, or lake — can carry microbes that stick to lenses and cause serious infections. Use prescription goggles or swim without lenses.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Siegmund, OD, a board-certified optometric physician at Siegmund Eye Care in Myrtle Beach.
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