Summer Weather Tips

People with facial palsy often have trouble with the following:

• Blinking
• Squinting against the sun
• Protecting the eye from dust, water, wind, fumes, smoke, and vapours.
• Dry eye

The summer often means more outdoor living and activities which may present their own challenges when it comes to protecting your eyes. The problems may increase depending on weather conditions and the activities people enjoy doing. Cycling, gardening, swimming, and other sports can all present specific difficulties.

What can you do?

Click here to skip to advice for children: Children

Your essentials:

• Eye lubrication (should be preservative-free if used more than four times per day)
• Sunglasses
• Goggles for swimming
• Glasses for specific activities

Before going outside make sure you have lubricated your eye and put your sunglasses on especially if you are unable to squint against bright sunlight. If your eye is wide open and the blink is absent it is best to tape the eye closed for protection whilst outdoors.

Sunglasses are an easy way to protect the eyes from sunlight and from environmental pollutants. Wraparound sunglasses will protect not just the front of the eyes but the sides too.

Example sunglasses from Amazon.co.uk

Please note that opticians can fit protective sides to glasses which keep wind and grit out of the eye (similar to the side pieces of safety glasses).

Moisture-chamber glasses can also provide relief from dry eye symptoms and you can get these in sunglasses style. See the Eyewear Accessories website for more information.

Link to Eyewear-accessories.co.uk

Swimming

If you are thinking of swimming or similar and struggling with your eye(s), don’t be put off! You can still enjoy these activities by wearing swimming goggles! Choosing the right swimming goggles is very important. Factors to consider:

1. That they fit which means they don’t let in water. The fit is decided by the seal not the straps so try them on first. The width of the goggles is important too, so if they are too wide and stretch around the corner of your eyes they will leak.
2. They are comfortable so not too much pressure on the eye socket or bridge of the nose. If there is too much pressure, then they are too tight and will chafe. The strap holds the goggles in place and split straps may make this more secure. Some goggles have adjustable nose pieces so look carefully at the design.
3. They are clear and don’t fog up. Check your goggles have an anti-fog coating and UV protection.
4. The lens colour. Smoke colour lenses are designed to limit light transmission and lower overall brightness which makes them ideal for use in sunny conditions. Check with your retailer before purchasing.

More information about choosing the right swimming goggles from the Swim England website.

An alternative may be to wear a swimming mask and may be better suited to children or people swimming in open water. Full-face style snorkel masks can also be helpful.

Example full-face style snorkel masks from Amazon.co.uk

Heather Turner (pictured above) turned to open water swimming as a form of therapy after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1996.

I wasn’t wearing my goggles in that picture as the water was so flat I knew I wouldn’t get any splashes and I couldn’t put my head under because of the hat! I still kept my glasses on to protect my eye a bit. I do normally wear goggles and they are prescription ones from Specsavers!

Cycling

When cycling the rider deals with several challenges when eye protection is required. The light levels, wind, dust, debris will vary according to weather, speed, and direction. Some cycling glasses change according to the light conditions as you travel due to their photochromic lenses. Polarized lenses are different in that they are tinted permanently and reduce the sun’s glare. Cycling glasses that wrap around the side of the eyes will additionally help protect the rider from environmental pollutants. Nose pads should be adjustable for comfort and fit according to your nose shape.

Example photochromic cycling glasses from Amazon.co.uk

These type of glasses are also suitable for a range of outdoor sports and activities.

Please note that the clear/lightly tinted cycling glasses can also be helpful to non-cyclists for those struggling with dust, hay fever, or windy weather.

Example range of cycling glasses and sunglasses from Decathlon.co.uk.

Barbecues

The smell of food cooking on a barbecue can be mouth watering but also eye watering too. Smoke and vapours from a barbecue can be an irritant so make sure you are wearing your sunglasses even if it isn’t sunny.

High temperatures

• High temperatures can dry the atmosphere and exacerbate dry eye conditions. You may need to increase the use of your eye lubrication (always use preservative-free if applying more than four times per day).   If you are experiencing a watery eye, this is your body responding to dryness by producing excess tears. These tears are weak and lack the necessary protein which helps the moisture cling to the eyeball so don’t stop using your lubricant. Instead increase the frequency of application until the excess tearing stops. Hold the eye closed with head tipped back after putting drops in, to let the drop ‘sink in’ to the eye so it’s more effective.
• Desktop humidifiers may be helpful indoors especially in work situations particularly if you are working at a computer. Larger humidifiers are also available which humidify a whole room.
• If you are taping your affected eye(s) closed at night you may find that tapes like Transpore will become sticky and more difficult to remove. Siltape (silicone) tape is a good alternative. When using Siltape you need to close your eye with your finger, hold it closed and then apply the tape making sure you press down from inner eye to outer eye so you don’t get air pockets.
• Some people get on well with Glad Press ‘n’ Seal which is an overseas product, a multi-purpose wrap. You can make a moisture chamber by covering the eye with a small square of film after putting drops in. This may not be suitable where the eye is completely open, and you should always ask your eye specialist for advice before use. It doesn’t work for everyone, but feedback suggests it works well for some people. It is much gentler than some of the tapes. Please note that Glad Press ‘n’ Seal does not work with ointment. If you use ointment and struggle with air pockets when using Siltape alone, try applying a layer of Glad Press’n Seal over the Siltape to create a better seal.

Example desktop humidifier from Amazon.co.uk

Humidifier reviews

4cm Siltape from Amazon.co.uk

Glad Press ‘n’ Seal from Amazon.co.uk

Flights

Air-conditioning on flights is a drying environment so it’s important to ensure you have preservative-free eye lubrication in your hand luggage if you cannot close or blink your eye fully. Try to point any overhead air blowers away from your face to avoid prolonged air blowing into the eye(s). Visit this page for more guidance on flying: Flying

Hayfever

If you suffer with hayfever, ensure you use medication as directed by your GP to manage symptoms. Speak to your GP, optician or other eye specialist if you are experiencing worse dry eye problems due to hayfever. Antihistamines can help allergic symptoms but in some cases may also make dry eye worse, seek expert advice.

Diet

Including more oily fish in your diet (or Omega 4 or flaxseed oil supplements) may relieve dry eyes by increasing healthy tear production and reducing inflammation.

Sunscreen

Never spray sunscreen directly on your face, apply to your hand first, then to your face, while carefully avoiding the eyes. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes after applying sunscreen to your body. Try using a sunscreen stick for easy application around the eyes. Mineral-based sunscreen is less likely to cause irritation if it gets in your eye. To avoid applying sunblock near your eyes, consider a broad-brimmed hat or UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your face and eyes from the sun.

Children

Sunscreen

A young child may rub an irritated eye more often so ensure their hands do not have sunscreen on, it may be best if an appropriate adult applies it. Again, mineral-based sunscreen is less likely to cause irritation if it gets in the eye.

To avoid applying sunblock near the eyes, consider a broad-brimmed hat or UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your child’s face and eyes from the sun.

Sunscreen products recommended in our Parents and Carers group are:

Childs Farm fragrance-free suncream – link to website

Brush on Sunblock – link to website

Using an applicator, such as Solar Buddies: link to product

Sunglasses

Children’s sunglasses recommended in our Parents and Carers group are:

Polaroid children’s sunglasses (can be bought via Amazon)

https://babiators-uk.com/

https://europe.babybanz.com/ – sunglasses with a strap

Kids skiing glasses (more expensive but the end of the arms are bendy and can be fitted tight behind the ears). UV protection is high to prevent snow glare.

Swimming goggles

Swimming goggles recommended in our Parents and Carers group are:

Zoggs Phantom Kid’s Mask Swimming Goggles – link to product on Argos.co.uk

Aquasphere junior goggles – link to website

Nabaiji swimming goggles and masks from Decathlon – link to website

Bling2Go swim goggles and masks – link to website

Other considerations

For babies and toddlers consider a UV baby pushchair/stroller sun shade cover.

Remember to carry preservative-free eye drops with you as you may need to administer more frequently on sunny days.

Sand may blow in the eye on windy beach days. Some parents patch their children’s eye closed temporarily while playing in the sand if they are extremely susceptible to getting a sore eye from playing on the beach. Take a bottle of fresh water with you on a day out to the beach (or eye wash/bath) in case you need to rinse the eye out.

Baby powder also helps to remove sand from the body quickly. To prevent powder from getting all over the place you can put it into a small sock and tie off the end, then pat it on the skin to remove moisture. The sand will then fall off easily.

Important note:

Links to products should not be taken as specific recommendations. It’s important to do your own research and find the product that suits you best. If in doubt about medical products please always consult your GP.