Going without shades can also make
the eyes hypersensitive to light and
can cause other temporary issues
like swelling.
But, the report points out, damage
from UV rays is cumulative and so
prolonged exposure can lead to far
more serious issues, like cataracts,
that can lead to vision loss.
Many of the problems can start out
symptom-free. The Vision Council
says sunglasses are the “unsung hero”
of North American accessories. They
are essential, it says, to maintaining
healthy vision.
“With just two small lenses, and
sturdy, comfortable frames, the right
sunglasses accomplish many feats
that pair protection and style,” the
report says.
“They shade uncomfortable bright
light and enhance contrast. Available
in all shapes and sizes, they can help
improve performance during sports
and exercise, while sprucing up
personal style. But most importantly,
when used as directed, these small
but mighty accessories can filter out
the harmful ultra-violet radiation
that penetrates and damages eyes.”
The Vision Council says consumers
must ensure their shades protect
against UVA and UVB radiation.
That's something that only 44 per
cent of respondents to the VisionWatch survey say they are
concerned about.
"Many consumers make sunglass
purchases based on style and
comfort, but fail to check the label
to make sure lenses are UVA/UVB
protective," Daley says.
The survey also found that: 39 per
cent of respondents only reach for
their sunglasses when they are
outside for two or more hours, even
though UV damage can start in as
little as 15 minutes; when it comes
to buying shades, more people are
concerned with fit (65 per cent)
and affordability (54 per cent) than
UV protection (44 per cent); and 34
per cent of people have experienced
symptoms of prolonged UV exposure, such as eye irritation, trouble
seeing and red or swollen eyes.
The Vision Council says an annual
eye exam is critical to keeping eyes
healthy, as they can diagnose early
signs of damage from UV exposure,
when it's most treatable.
The full survey can be found at
www.thevisioncouncil.org.
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