I live in Sandpoint, a small Idaho town where we are fortunate enough to experience a plethora of gorgeous views, a spectacular lake, and four seasons of weather. Starting off in a winter wonderland, we slowly move into a lush green spring, followed by a beautiful summer, capped with a gorgeous fall. Each season has a different aspect of beauty in its own way, and activities for everyone to enjoy. Like many of the lake-goers, fishing connoisseurs, and gardening aficionados, I personally love summer.

Our family owns a small piece of property on the outskirts of town, a nice little escape from the hustling and bustling of Main Street. Summer turns the trees into a sight of pretty foliage, and our green yard invites the kids to sink their toes into the grass. We also have chickens, on occasion a few pigs, and four loving fur critters who see the yard as a haven for all of their chew toys.

Summer does bring one bit of extra chores to the schedule – yard work. Though we do our best to collect all of the sticks, rubber ducks, and rocks that accumulate in the yard over time, occasionally one item will remain hidden in the grass, posing a minor problem while mowing the lawn. As chunks of a chew toy come propelling out of the running blades, I am reminded that wearing eye protection while doing our outside chores is always a wise decision.

Throughout the summer, we see patients for a variety of complaints. From sawdust in the eye to abrasions from tree branches, the list goes on. With this in mind, keeping a set of safety glasses handy is always an excellent idea! If you can’t be without your prescription and don’t wear contact lenses, having ophthalmic or sunglass frames with safety-rated lenses will help shield your eyes. Whether your activities lodge a foreign object under your lid, or just kick up enough grit to give yourself an infection or an allergic reaction, safety glasses can prevent an unwanted trip to your local eye doctor.

Next time you’re looking for a shatter-resistant material, think about getting Trivex or polycarbonate lenses. Both are more shatter-resistant than traditional plastic lenses, and protect from harmful UV rays, making them an excellent choice for your summer eyewear. Or, you can ask your optician to make your lenses “safety-thickness,” and at that point your lenses will truly be able to protect your eyes from UFO’s of all types.

Happy Summer!
~LoreLei Henry