Eye protection warning: sunglasses prevent blindness

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 563, 22 November 1994, Page 11

Eye protection warning: sunglasses prevent blindness

FROM PAGE 16 the eyelids." Not all sunglasses filter UV adequately, while others protect against UV only. As well as offering total UV protection, good sunglasses should block blue light and infra-red rays. Blue light causes eyestrain and longer term damage,

and infra-red causes eyes to become dry and irritated. Mike Sheppard, president of the New Zealand Sunglasses Association and national saies manager for Vision Holdings, says it is important that sunglass distributors make sure customers understand exactly the

protective qualities of the sunglasses they buy. "At present there is a lot of confusion. Some people feel they have to buy very expensive glasses to get adequate protection, while others think that polarising lenses are all they need. Others don't bother about protection at all."

Eye protection warning: sunglasses prevent blindness

The New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Blindness is warning New Zealanders. to look after their eyes as summer approaches. To support this advice, the Society has endorsed the Bill Bass range of sunglasses as offering protection against damaging ultraviolet rays. The Society' s endorsement confirms that the range meets the Australian sunglass standard for ultraviolet protection. This standard also applies voluntarily in New Zealand. Bill Bass sunglasses, are widely available throughout New Zealand. Society president, Hamilton opthamologist Dr Douglas Cox, says the endorsement will help raise

public awareness of the potential harm of sunlight to eyes. "The message linking sunburn to skin cancer has grabbed most of the attention to date. However, it is high time New Zealanders realised that our harsh sunlight can also cause serious eye damage. Even small children need protection. The solution is simple. Wear a good pair of sunglasses whenever you go out in the sun." Ultraviolet light, which also damages skin, can severely affect unprotected eyes. With the depletion of the ozone layer - nature's filter against ultraviolet rays - there is concern that eye problems are becdming more common. Dr Cox says that his clinic is seeing an

increasing amount of eye damage caused by exposure to sunlight. He remarks that people with the worst problems are stock and station agents who don't wear sunglasses because they prefer to let customers see their eyes. There appears to be a strong link between ultraviolet and cataracts, says Dr Cox, although this has not been proven on a definitive basis. Cataracts can lead to blindness, and need to be surgically removed. Ministry of Health figures show that surgical operations to remove cataracts have risen from 5417 to 6680 in 1992, an increase of around 18 per cent. In Australia, 25,000 people undergo cataract surgery every year, and in the USA

the figure is one million. Cataracts and other long term degenerative problems are thought to be caused by UV-A the most damaging from ultraviolet radiation. Also harmful is exposure to UV-B rays, which cause shorter-term problems such as "snow blindness" and conjunctivitis. "Opthamologists are certainly concerned about sun

damage which affects the conjunctiva or surface of the eye," warns Dr Cox. "This can cause benign growths such as pterygia or pingeculae, or sometimes actual cancerous growths. We are a}so seeing a lot of older people with chronically red, irritated eyes. Another quite common problem is skin cancer of TURN TO PAGE 11