A campaign was launched during the British National Eye Health Week (NEHW) last month to raise awareness of the dangers of unprotected sun exposure in autumn and help prevent future, avoidable, sight loss.
David Cartwright, chair of NEHW, explains how autumn sunshine impacts our eyes: “When the sun is high in the sky, our brow bone acts like a built-in sun shade and prevents damaging UV light entering the eye. When the sun is low in the sky during autumn months, the total amount of UV radiation your eyes are exposed to increases dramatically.”
Cumulative UV exposure has been found to promote the onset of cataracts and has been implicated in the development of a range of other eye conditions including photokeratitis, pterygium and macular degeneration.
Cartwright continues: “One simple way you can tell if your eyes are in danger of UV damage is to look at your shadow. If your shadow is taller than you, you should protect your eyes using a hat, sunglasses or UV protective lenses.”
The Sunbeams campaign, launched in cooperation with Boots Opticians, encourages schools to include sun safety within their child protection policies. It also provide teachers with a range of learning resources which highlight 10 simple strategies for staying safe in the sun and explain how doing things such as having regular sight tests and eating colourful fruit and vegetables can keep eyes and vision healthy.
10 simple strategies for staying safe in the sun
1. Protect your eyes whenever the UV Index rises to three or more (five) even on a cloudy day (over 90 per cent of UV can transmit through the clouds). For comfort you may also wish to wear eye protection on bright days when the UV Index is below three.
2. Wear sunglasses with a CE; UV400 or BS standard BSEN1836: 2005 mark this ensures they provide adequate UV protection.
3. Never wear toy sunglasses. These offer little UV protection and can actually cause more damage because the tinted lenses dilate the pupil allowing more UV light to enter the eye.
4. If you wear spectacles, check your lenses provide UV protection.
5. Make sure your eyes and area around your eyes is fully covered. Large lenses and wrap-around styles provide the greatest protection.
6. Wear a hat, cap or visor for added protection.
7. Sit or play in the shade.
8. Stay out of the sun between 12pm and 3pm when the sun’s rays are strongest. Up to 50 per cent of the total daily UV is emitted between these times.
9. Never look directly at the sun, this can permanently scar the retina.
10. Remember the shadow rule: if your shadow is taller than you are, your eyes are at greatest risk from UV exposure, as your brow bone no longer offers natural protection.