8 Ways You Could Be Damaging Your Eyes at the Beach

Between the strut-worthy bikini, ginormous tote filled with summer reads, and a beach chair fit for a queen, it goes without saying that you're ready for some fun in the sun—but are you sure you're not forgetting something?

If your sunglasses spend more time on your head or in your tote than on your face, you're not alone. According to a recent report from The Vision Council, one in four Americans rarely or never wear shades. Meanwhile, we really should be as type A about keeping our eyes covered as we are our skin. Here are eight eye-wrecking beach habits you should nix from your repertoire, stat:

You might think skipping the sunnies every so often is no biggie, but excessive UV exposure in the short term can morph into serious eye damage in the long term. Just one day at the beach sans sunglasses can lead to photokeratitus, a sunburn of the eye. The damage isn't permanent, but the whole dry, scratchy, bloodshot, swollen eyes thing? So not worth it.

The real danger comes from eye problems that can crop up years later, such as abnormal growths on the eye's surface, as well as cataracts and macular degeneration, which are both major causes of vision loss, says Robert Noecker, M.D., a Connecticut-based ophthalmologist. In other words, never (ever!) head to the beach without your shades planted firmly on your face—and if you do experience irritation, touch base with your eye doctor.

RELATED: Preserve Your Eyesight

"Inexpensive sunglasses that don't block UVA and UVB rays expose you to the same risks as no glasses at all," says Melissa Barnett, an optometrist with the California Optometric Association. Barnett recommends looking for sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light. "Polarized lenses are a good way to do this because they can specifically block out the most prominent light rays while maintaining clear vision," she says. Consider sporting wraparound frames, which are another great way to keep your peepers safe.

Don't let those clouds fool you: The sun's rays can be just as tough on your eyes when it's overcast. No matter the weather, always wear a pair of shades, says Barnett. And for added protection, stay out of the sun during hours of peak UV intensity, which are typically in the early morning (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and late afternoon (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.).

RELATED: 8 Major Mistakes That Can Mess with Your Eyes

Hats are an excellent way to protect your ears, neck, and face from UV rays, but your eyes? Not so much. It's not just direct rays you have to shade your eyes from, but rays that bounce off surfaces, such as water and sand. (Water reflects up to 100 percent of UV rays, and sand up to 25 percent.) So wear your hat, but step up your game and make sure your eyes are covered too, says Barnett.

Obvi, swimming with your contacts in is frowned upon. Among other things, it can lead to a cornea infection and loss of vision, says Barnett. Before taking a dip, protect your eyes by removing your contacts and throwing on a pair of swim goggles.

No sea water is completely sterile, which can lead to nastiness like swollen corneas and temporary blurred vision, not to mention bacterial and viral infections, says Noecker. To minimize short-term irritation and lower your odds of an infection, Noecker recommends always wearing goggles during your swim.

RELATED: What Staring at a Screen All Day REALLY Does to Your Eyes

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, 10 percent of all skin cancers are found on the eyelid. "Sunscreen around the eye is extremely important," says Barnett. "It's best to use a mineral-based formula, as some of the chemical-based formulas may irritate the eye." Barnett recommends using a sunscreen made specifically for the face or eye that contains a minimum of SPF 30.

Getting sand in your eye can cause a corneal abrasion (a scratch on the clear, protective outer layer of your eye), says Barnett, and rubbing it can cause further damage. If this happens to you, wash your eye out with clean water right away and blink several times. If it's still feeling irritated after an hour or so, call your eye doctor for pointers—left untreated, your eye could become infected, which could lead to an icky corneal ulcer.

Krissy Brady

Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention, and she also writes for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women's Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com.