Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Parents put on UV alert - sight charity warns kids’ sight put at risk

As summer finally arrives, the sight charity, Eyecare Trust, is issuing a stark warning to parents to protect their children’s eyes from the sun or put them at risk of permanent damage to their sight.

Our eyes are ten times more sensitive to UV light than our skin and children’s eyes are at the greatest risk of UV damage. Big pupils and clearer lenses mean up to 70 per cent more UV light reaches the retina than in an adult's eye.

Latest figures from World Health Organisation estimate that this lack of natural eye protection combined with the disproportionate amount of time children spend playing outdoors could mean that as much as 80 per cent of a lifetimes’ UV is absorbed into the eye by the time a child reaches the age of 18.

Cumulative exposure to UV is one of the main risk factors of age related macular degeneration – the leading cause of sight loss in the UK and cataracts, a clouding of the eyes lens, which affects one in three people aged over 65 years.

Rosie Gavzey, Director of the Eyecare Trust explains: “Our message to parents is simple ‘Protect it Now or Lose it Later’. UV damage to the eyes is cumulative and totally irreversible. If we don’t take steps to protect our children’s eyes, repeated exposure can and will result in them suffering sight threatening conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration later in life.”

Rosie continues: “Ideally all children - and adults - should wear good quality sunglasses and a peaked hat when spending any time outdoors. It's especially important for parents to safeguard their children's eyes when they are playing on the beach or by water where there's a lot of reflected light.”

Brimmed hats and sunshades attached to prams and push chairs will generally provide adequate protection for babies and very young children.

When buying children’s sunglasses you should always ensure that they carry the European Standard CE mark or the British Standard BSEN 1836:1997 to ensure that the sunglasses offer a safe level of UV protection.

‘Toy’ sunglasses or those not providing at least 99 per cent protection from UVA & UVB can actually cause more damage because the tinted lenses dilate the pupil allowing more UV light to enter the eye.

The Eyecare Trust’s Top Tips For Kids’ Eye Protection

1. Wear sunglasses that carry the European or British Standard marks

2. For maximum protection wear a cap or brimmed hat in addition to your sunglasses.

3. Stay out of the midday sun.

4. Choose plastic or toughened glass lenses for added durability.

5. Ensure the sunglasses fit well and feel comfortable – your optician can advise on styles and sizes to ensure maximum protection and fit. Foam frames can be a good option very young children.

6. Check out the range of funky colours and sunglass designs available for children.

To protect your family’s eyes this summer the Eyecare Trust has produced the Get UV Protected guide to safe sun vision. This is free from many high street optometrists or can be downloaded direct from the Eyecare Trust’s website www.eyecare-trust.org.uk.

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For more info please contact:

Rachel Robson, Eyecare Trust Press Office, Telephone 01225 423394 or Email pr@eyecare-trust.org.uk

Notes for editors:

Other potential eye health problems related to UV exposure include Pterygium – a growth on the white of the eye, which encroaches onto the cornea and can obscure your vision. Repeated exposure to sunlight can also increase your risk of cancer of the eyelid and the skin surrounding the eye.

About the Eyecare Trust

The Eyecare Trust is a registered charity that exists to raise awareness of all aspects of eye health, the importance of regular eye care and the benefits of using quality eye wear.

For more info log on to www.eyecare-trust.org.uk.