THE UNSUNG HERO
By Denis Langlois
Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun can lead to long-term eye damage , including age-related macular degeneration – the leading cause of blindness in North America in people over age 55 , according to Doctors of Optometry Canada .
The Canadian organization says sunlight is “ by far the greatest source of UV radiation ” and recommends people protect their eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses or other eyewear with anti-UV coatings .
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind also says people can avoid vision loss by making simple lifestyle changes like wearing UV-protective sunglasses year round when outdoors . Yet , despite repeated messages about the importance of protecting the eyes from UV rays , less than one-third of adults wear sunglasses each time they go outside , according to a recent report by The Vision Council .
The organization says it is encouraging eye care professionals to talk with their patients about the impact of UV exposure on the eyes as well as the options for properly protecting the eyes from the sun .
“ By highlighting the cumulative and irreversible damage UV overexposure can cause , we hope to encourage ( people ) to make UV-eye protection an everyday habit to preserve their eyesight ,” says Mike Daley , CEO of The Vision Council .
The organization ' s 2016 UV Protection Report , entitled Spare Your Sight : Using Shades for Protection and Style , contains the results of a 2016 VisionWatch survey , which asked 10,000 adults questions related to UV eye exposure and the use of sunglasses .
It found that while three-quarters of people are concerned about UV exposure on the eyes , only 31 per cent wear sunglasses each time they are outdoors .
In fact , the survey found that people are more likely to identify the long-term effects of UV light on their skin than on their eyes .
Short-term exposure to UV rays , according to the report , can cause photokeratitis – a painful sunburn of the cornea – as well as pterygium – an abnormal growth on the surface of the eye .