Don't let sun blind children
Parents are being reminded about the danger posed by sun exposure to children’s eyes.
Sight charity Eyecare Trust, is warning that parents are slapping on the suncream to protect the skin, but doing nothing to protect their children’s eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
Our eyes are ten times more sensitive the UV light, with children being more at risk. Young children’s eyes have bigger pupils and clearer lenses, allowing up to 70 per cent more IV light to reach the retina than an adult’s eye.
Damage at young ages may lead to permanent, irreversible sight damage and vision problems during adult life. This includes cataracts and age-related mascular degeneration, Britain’s biggest cause pf blindness.
Though challenging for many parents, a child should be made to wear good quality sunglasses and a hat with a peak or brim whilst spending time outdoors.
When buying sunglasses, it is important to look for safe levels against both UVA and UVB protection. This will be indicated by the European Standard CE mark or the British Standard BSEN 1836:1997.
Toy sunglasses, or those not designed to filter out UVA or UVB rays will cause more damage to the eye than wearing no glasses at all. This is because the tint will cause the pupil of the eye to dilate, allowing more UV light to enter the eye.
The Eyecare Trust has produced a Guide to UV protection available free from many high street opticians, or as a download from the Eyecare Trust website.