Fundus: why hot weather negatively affects vision
The heat has a detrimental effect on the eyes — in summer they need special care. Among the dangers that lie in wait in hot weather are ultraviolet rays, air conditioners and plant pollen. How to choose the right sunglasses, whether it is possible to reduce the negative effects of dry air and why you can not swim in lenses — in the material of Izvestia.
The harm of conditioner to eye health
Redness, itching, lacrimation and a feeling as if sand got into the eyes are typical summer complaints, says ophthalmologist of the surgical department of the ophthalmological center "Vision" Anna Gabrelyan. These symptoms, triggered by heat, sun, exposure to air conditioners, and other seasonal causes, may indicate serious vision problems.
— Among the external factors contributing to the development of dry eye syndrome, prolonged exposure to air-conditioned rooms occupies a special place. Air conditioners reduce humidity to 30-40%, which accelerates the evaporation of tears, especially in people with impaired tear film stability. This causes a burning sensation, a feeling of sand in the eyes, redness and temporary blurred vision, warns Gabrelian.
The expert considers the untimely replacement of filters to be an additional risk: dust and allergens accumulate in air conditioners, which can increase eye inflammation.
— To reduce the effects of dry air, it is necessary to use humidifiers, regularly ventilate the premises and change filters in a timely manner. If necessary, you can use moisturizing drops, especially when working at a computer for a long time," comments Anna Gabrelyan.
Her colleague, an ophthalmologist at the surgical department, a specialist in the treatment of keratoconus at the Vision Center, Daria Kosinkina, advises against directing a stream of cold air directly onto the face, maintaining indoor humidity of 40-60% and making regular visual pauses so that the tear film has time to recover.
Is it possible to swim in lenses
Ophthalmologists warn that bathing in contact lenses can lead to serious infectious complications.
— The space between the lens and the cornea creates a greenhouse effect, where water with microorganisms lingers and comes into contact with the tissues of the eye. Even clean—looking water in a pool, shower, sea, lake or river can contain pathogens that get on the lens and cause inflammation," says Daria Kosinkina.
If you bathe in lenses, you can "earn" acanthamoebic keratitis, a rare but dangerous complication that can lead to serious visual impairment. According to the ophthalmologist, the disease is accompanied by pain, pain and decreased visual acuity. It requires long-term treatment, and in severe cases, a corneal transplant may be required.
— To reduce the risks, it is necessary to completely eliminate bathing in lenses and wear protective glasses. If necessary, one-day lenses can be used, which are disposed of immediately after water treatments. It is important to observe hygiene and, if discomfort appears, temporarily abandon contact correction in favor of glasses," the doctor summarizes.
Allergic conjunctivitis in summer
Daria Kosinkina draws attention to the fact that allergic conjunctivitis worsens in the sultry summer, as the heat increases the effect of pollen — the mucous membrane dries out and the allergen remains on the surface of the eye longer. The symptoms of this phenomenon are itching, redness, lacrimation and swelling of the eyelids. People with allergies are at risk, especially those with hay fever and rhinitis.
— Allergic conjunctivitis manifests itself symmetrically, that is, both eyes react the same way. It differs from an infection in that the patient has no pain, pus, or severe photophobia," explains Daria Kosinkina.
To reduce the risk to the eyes, the ophthalmologist recommends washing your face after a walk, and if necessary, rinse your eyes with clean water. Do not rub them with your hands. And it is necessary to drink enough water so that the mucous membranes of the eyes remain moistened. If there is redness, pain, purulent discharge or sudden visual impairment, then you should immediately consult a specialist.
How does the sun affect cataracts?
An active sun can trigger the development of cataracts, and this is already a serious threat to eye health.
— In addition to age-related changes, chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes to the development of cataracts. The rays penetrate the structures of the eye, causing oxidative stress that damages the lens. Proteins become cloudy, transparency is lost, and this leads to the formation of cataracts," explains Anna Gabrelyan.
According to the ophthalmologist, acute exposure to short-wavelength ultraviolet rays (UVB, 280-315 nm) can cause photokeratitis— an inflammation of the cornea. His symptoms appear a few hours after exposure to the sun with severe pain, photophobia and lacrimation.
— Photokeratitis occurs especially often in conditions that enhance UV radiation: in snow (reflection of up to 80% of the rays), near water (up to 30%) and in the mountains, where the thin ozone layer allows more ultraviolet light to pass through, — explains Anna Gabrelyan.
To protect the eyes, the ophthalmologist advises using sunglasses labeled UV400 — they block 100% of UV rays. Ordinary dark glasses without a filter are dangerous: the pupil dilates, and there is no protection, so ultraviolet light penetrates deeper.
How to choose sunglasses
When choosing sunglasses, it is important to distinguish the fake from the real brands. Alexandra Levitina, an international fashion consultant and practicing stylist, advises you to pay attention to details, such as hinges. According to the fashion expert, the original glasses have smooth, sans-serif movement of the hinges.
— Also, fakes often have glass distortion at the edges. They also give out fake nose guards: for branded items, they will be silicone or labeled, and it can also be one—piece fittings," comments Alexandra Levitina.
The expert recommends considering the difference between models designed for the city and those that are appropriate on the beach. And this difference is noticeable not only in style, but also in functionality.
— Versatility and elegance come to the fore in the city. The glasses for the beach are more customized. It should be borne in mind that in the city the sun is reflected from asphalt and glass, it is better to choose light and practical materials. On the beach, you should take those that do not heat up from the sun and are resistant to sea salt and sand. It is better to have both pairs, this will allow you to have a more versatile wardrobe," the fashion expert comments.
If you don't have enough for glasses from an expensive manufacturer, then Alexandra Levitina advises giving preference to neutral shapes that will be easier to combine in the wardrobe.
— Look at the material: you need to choose celluloid acetate (not plastic) and metal (for example, titanium) — this is a sign of quality for non-name brands. You can also turn to a decent vintage, look for glasses on retail platforms, go to outlets," the expert emphasizes.
To find your own option, Alexandra Levitina advises you to carefully try on different models, not to make spontaneous purchases.
— The upper part of the frame should coincide with the eyebrow line, the lateral lines do not protrude beyond the temples, the lower border coincides with the cheekbone line. Just as it is important to choose clothes according to size, so glasses should "sit" on the face," the expert comments.
Which glasses are fashionable in 2025
According to Alexandra Levitina, the most common eyewear options are oversized (large, wide, massive); sporty and futuristic (narrow, streamlined, with mirrored lenses). Retro models (cat's eye, round, aviators), minimalism (thin frames, translucent models) and avant-garde (asymmetry, unusual shapes) are in demand. The fashion expert considers oval glasses and aviators to be relevant wardrobe models that do not depend on fashion and trends. Accessories of this shape are easy to combine. Oval ones are well suited to the popular smart casual style, aviators perfectly complement casual. According to the expert, minimalist options and unusual accents are good for the younger generation.
— Nevertheless, we see the dominance of an oversized and sporty style with a strong influence of retro and minimalism. There were more of these glasses at the latest fashion shows. For comparison, transparent models were the most fashionable last year," the expert continues.
As for the color, black, dark and brown glasses remain the "eternal classics". Bright (red, blue, yellow), metallic (gold, silver), transparent and smoky are also popular.
— Color and shape are the main base for any image, and especially for the portrait zone. Glasses in this case are not only a beautiful accessory, but also a detail that can change the perception of a face, emphasize its advantages and adjust lines and proportions,— comments Alexandra Levitina.
How to choose glasses based on face shape
The choice of glasses depends on the shape and type of the face, the color of the appearance, the style of the wardrobe and other factors.
— The shape of a face is determined by the ratio of its height and width relative to each other, that is, their proportion with the dominant length and with the dominant width is taken into account. The first indicator will include, for example, a rectangular face or an oval one. The second dominant is round or square," explains the fashion consultant.
A rectangular face is an elongated face with a pronounced "youth angle" (a 90—degree angle between the chin and the neck line). This type, in particular, includes Sandra Bullock, Sigourney Weaver, as well as Liam Neeson and Yura Borisov. The main task in this case is to visually soften the lines and add a little volume in the side areas, the expert emphasizes. The glasses options are rectangular and expressive oval. For example, oversized aviators or in the aesthetics of the 70s.
— The oval face gives the greatest variability in the choice. Almost all frames are of this type, here you rather need to choose glasses for the style direction of the wardrobe. If we talk about the current models of this season from the catwalk, then choose a cat's eye and futuristic design for this type of face," explains Alexandra Levitina. Celebrities with an oval face type include Beyonce and Natalia Vodianova, Jake Gyllenhaal and Alexander Petrov.
With a rounded face type, like Mila Kunis and John Hill, you should keep a balance so as not to round it even more.
— A life hack for chubby people: the corners in the frame should be soft, this will create a certain vertical that will help lengthen the face. For example, square glasses with smooth lines, suggests a fashion expert.
According to Levitina, with a square face type, the main thing is to avoid additional hard lines, as it already has an expressive forehead, cheekbones and a "youthful angle." Examples include Olivia Wilde, Diane Kruger, as well as Josh Brolin and Daniel Radcliffe.
— One of the important tasks here is to soften the lower corner through smoothness in the lower part of the frame, and in the upper part of the face, on the contrary, to stretch. An example is the cat's eye and its variations, as well as aviators," continues Alexandra Levitina.
A triangular face is a type with a narrowing to the bottom, like that of Scarlet Johansson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. According to the expert, it is important for people with this type not to strengthen the upper part by extending the frame. But the rim, slightly expanding at the bottom, will create the necessary balance.
— A life hack for those with a triangular face is to "play" with the bridge of the nose. Frames with a double bridge or a displaced central part visually "split" the expressive forehead into sections, making it less dominant, explains Levitina.
The size of the glasses frame and decoration depends on the size of the facial features: eyebrows, nose, lips and cheekbones. If the features are expressive enough, then it's worth choosing glasses with thicker frames or decor. Levitina also advises paying attention to the color and tone of the frame (warm, cold or mixed), the material and the degree of transparency of the lens. You should also take into account the contrast of appearance — the difference in the color of hair, eyes and skin. The expert emphasizes that first of all it is necessary to choose what suits a person, because style is primarily a taste, not a brand.
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