Children’s eyes more susceptible to sun damage

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Children’s eyes more susceptible to sun damage

While the effects are not as obviously felt, UV radiation is just as dangerous to eyesight as it is for the skin. And children are at greater risk of ocular damage due to the sun’s rays.

Optometrist Ian Finch says it’s vital for children’s eyes to be protected from the sun because damage occurs over a long period of exposure, slowly and painlessly. "Young children’s eyes can be more susceptible to damage as their pupils are usually larger and their lenses clearer, which allows more UV light through,” he says. "The risks include cataracts and macular degeneration, which are leading causes of blindness later in life, as well as pterygia and cancer".

He insists that sunglasses should not be thought of simply as a fashion accessory. “When you’re out in the sun, putting sunglasses on your child should be as instinctive as applying sunscreen.”

SunSmart representative, Laurianne Reinsborough, confirms that the ‘wrap’ component of their slip, slop, slap and wrap message is incredibly important, as is making the sun safety experience fun. “Take the kids with you to get their sunglasses and help them pick out the items themselves, this way they are much more likely to wear them.”

As part of their initiative to educate children and parents about the dangers of UV exposure to the eye, Visique optometrists nationwide are giving away a selection of free sunglasses for five-year-old new entrants from February 1st.

General Manager Pete Campbell says by encouraging kiwi kids to wear sunglasses from an early age, Visique are aiming to raise awareness of the risks of UV radiation to children’s eyesight. He also stresses the importance of standards, “Sunglasses should have dark lenses and wrap around the eye to block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB.”

Wearing sunglasses, in combination with a hat, is the best way to reduce radiation exposure to the eye to virtually zero and prevent long-term damage.

ENDS

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