What is Surfer's Eye and How to Prevent It: The Importance of Wearing a Surf Hat

Hey there wave warriors! Here at Peach, we’re here to support your entire wave riding journey, which means ensuring we keep you protected from all the elements so you can have your best rides yet. Lets explore an important topic often overlooked in our ocean escapades — protecting our eyes from the dreaded 'surfer's eye'. You might be thinking, "What in the world is surfer's eye?" Before you hit the surf, let's take a moment to dive into this topic. Understanding what surfer's eye is, how to prevent it, and why wearing a surf hat is crucial, is essential for every surfer.

So, What's This Surfer's Eye All About?

Picture this: you're out in the lineup keeping an eye out for a good set to roll through, but then you start feeling this annoying irritation in your eye. That, my friends, could be the start of a pterygium, affectionately known as 'surfer's eye'. It's a funky little growth on your eye, often formed due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, wind, and sand — elements that are all too familiar to surfers. The condition can cause redness, irritation, and in severe cases, may affect vision.

Prevention is Key: Protecting Your Eyes

The best way to combat surfer's eye is through prevention. Here's where choosing the right surf gear, specifically surf hats offering solid sun protection, play a pivotal role. A quality surf hat is not just a stylish accessory; it's a necessity for eye protection. When choosing a hat for surfing, look for these features:

Choosing the Right Surf Hat

• Broad Brim Bonanza: Go for a boonie hat style or any wide-brimmed number for maximum sun protection. It's like having your personal palm tree, but better because it travels with you on the waves!
• UV Protection Fabric: Some hats are like sunscreen for your head - they block those sneaky UV rays.
• Stays Put Factor: Ever lost a hat to the wind or to the ocean? Yeah, not fun. Find one with a chin strap, bungee cord, and a snug fit so it stays with you through every duck dive and wipeout.
• Stiff brim advantage: no one likes water dripping in the eyes or a hat flopping around while you surf, so opt for a hat that has a stiffer brim that holds its shape when it gets wet!

Luckily for you, our Peach surf hats are designed by surfers for surfers and lovers of the sea with all the above in mind. We've poured our love for the ocean and our understanding of what surfers truly need into every stitch and seam.

Why Wearing a Surf Hat is Essential

1. Say No to UV Rays: Those rays are no joke, and sine water can reflect up to 100% of UV radiation, you’re effectively doubling your exposure. A good surf hat keeps them away from your eyes and skin. Healthy eyes, healthy skin, happy surfer!
2. Glare Who? Water reflections can be blinding. A hat reduces that glare reduces the discomfort and temporary vision impairment, known as photokeratitis, which is akin to sunburn for the eyes. Bonus, less squinting when you’re out there spotting your next wave, means less future wrinkles.
3. Bye-Bye, Wind and Sand: Nothing ruins a good surf day like sand in your eyes. Your surf hat's got you covered - literally.
4. Extra Sun Protection: Sunscreen is key, but let’s be real, it wears off midway through the session and none of us are reapplying as often as the instructions say. Your hat is the superhero, providing that extra layer of protection.

Give Your Eyes a Break!

Alright, wave warriors, it's time to gear up and shield up. A stylish surf hat doesn't just up your surf style game; it keeps those eyes and skin safe so you can keep spotting those perfect waves for many seasons to come. So next time you hit the beach, make sure your surf gear includes a sun protection hat - your eyes will thank you! 🌞🏄‍♂️