Antinuclear

Parents told to make kids wear sunglasses to protect them from eye cancer JANE HANSEN THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 10, 2013 CHILDREN should wear sunglasses because sun exposure in the first 20 years of life increases the risk of eye cancer and other eye problems later in life, Cancer Council NSW research has revealed. The research shows exposure to solar radiation is a cause of eye cancer but while parents may Slip, Slop, Slap, they often overlook sunglasses for their children.

Cancer Council NSW’s Vanessa Rock said it was just as important to protect your eyes as your skin. There is an average of 98 cases of eye cancer per year in Australia.”Unprotected exposure to UV radiation over long periods can cause serious damage to your eyes, including cataracts, and cancer in and around the eye,” Ms Rock said.

Optometrist Association of Australia (OAA) Andrew McKinnon said irreplaceable eyesight is at risk in high glare, high UV settings such as the beach, by the water or the snow. “At the beach, it drives me mad, I want to put sunglasses on all the kids, all the adults have glasses on but a child’s eyes are more vulnerable.”

Eye problems associated with long term UV radiation, such as cataracts, affect just over one in 10 Australians and almost a third of all elderly people. Macular degeneration and pterygium are also caused by UV radiation.

“These happen because over time the exposure builds up and we see the damage day in day out because people didn’t wear sunglasses or the right sunglasses,” Mr McKinnon said…….

Fashion sunglasses with lens categories “0” and “1” fail the necessary protection because they do not have to meet eye coverage requirements.

JUST THE FACTS

There are 5 lens categories –

0 – Fashion spectacles – not sunglasses Very low sunglare reduction Some UV protection

1 – Fashion spectacles – not sunglasses Limited sunglare reduction Some UV protection

2 – Sunglasses – Medium sunglare reduction Good UV protection

3 – Sunglasses – High sunglare reduction Good UV protection

4 – Sunglasses – special purpose Very high sunglare reduction Good UV protection

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