Home & Lifestyle Spring 2019

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy - Wear sunglasses M ost people know the sun’s rays are bad for our skin. But did you know they’re just as bad for our eyes? Keep your families eyes healthy by protecting them from the sun. Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Some of the sun’s effects on the eyes include: Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision. An estimated 20% of cases are caused by extended UV exposure, Macular degeneration, resulting from damage to the retina that destroys central vision. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness, Pterygium, a tissue growth over the white part of the surface of the eye that can alter the curve of the eyeball, causing astigmatism and eye cancer. We all know how important it is to wear protective sunglasses during summer, however, what most of us do not realise is how equally important it is, if not more so, to wear protective eyewear during the cooler seasons. During autumn, winter and spring, the sun is lower on the horizon, so we get more exposed to those damaging UV rays, as they directly enter the eyes. 90% of UV radiation can penetrate clouds, which makes wearing sunglasses all year round even more important – dull days can be just as damaging. Another interesting fact and unknown to many is that UV exposure to the eyes is maximised between 8am-10am and, 2pm-4pm when the sun is lower in the sky often making these the most important times to be wearing your sunnies to protect from UV and give comfort from glare. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy. TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR EYES ALL YEAR LONG: • Make a habit of wearing UV protective sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats whenever you’re outside. • Don’t be fooled by clouds or the fact that you’re in the shade: a significant amount of damage to the eye can come from indirect light, whether it is from the side or reflected off surfaces such as the ground, sand or water. • Sunglasses are also available with tinted and polarised prescription lenses for those requiring glasses for clear vision. • Remember the kids and older family members. • When purchasing sunglasses, remember to check the sun protection factor on the swing tag, look for high category (Australian Standard) lenses and remember that a high retail price doesn’t always mean better protection. • Polarised lenses can be particularly helpful for reflected glare such as when at the beach or snow. • A close fitting, wraparound pair or classic style with thick arms can help prevent glare and damaging rays from coming in the sides of sunglasses.

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