Sinister Shades

Friday, June 29, 2007

Sunglasses may be essential summer eye candy but some could leave us at risk of losing our sight because they fail to protect our eyes from the sun's harmful rays, according to recent research.

Yet most of us (63%) barely check safety standards when buying shades and instead are most swayed by fashion and price, according to the College of Optometrists.

Alarmingly, the majority of young people up to 25 (80%) are most likely to opt for 'cool shades' and leave safety in the shade even though they are are most vulnerable to eye damage from the sun. Exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays, the college warns, increases the long-term risk of sight loss resulting from conditions such as cataracts and possibly AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration).

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, says: " Most of us wouldn't dream of going outside on a sunny day without suncream protection because of the much-publicised risk of skin cancer.

"But many forget or are even unaware of just how delicate the eyes can be, and will be going on summer holidays with totally unprotected eyes - one in seven of us don't wear sunglasses - or with sunglasses that are not up to scratch. People with blue or light coloured eyes are most at risk from sun damage."

While all sunglasses brands legally sold in shops here have to meet set standards, there are plenty of fake copies of expensive and fashionable brands on the market that don't comply.

Also, many people buy cheap sunglasses abroad, where the same standards may not apply.

Dr Blakeney explains: "It's particularly worrying that younger people have so little regard for their eyes because their eyes are more vulnerable to the damage from the sun than adults'.

"Up to 80% of exposure to UV over a person's lifetime occurs before the age of 18. It's therefore especially important to make children wear sunglasses so that any long-term damage is minimised."

Be shade savvy

Follow the guidelines from the College of Optometrists:

* Wear good quality, dark sunglasses and check that they are up to standard.

Dr Blakeney says: "Good sunglasses needn't be expensive, you can buy perfectly adequate protective sunglasses from high street stores, but just follow a few guidelines."

* Make sure sunglasses carry the 'CE' Mark and British Standard BS EN 1836:1997, which means they offer a safe level of UV protection.

* Do a simple quality test before buying. Hold the sunglasses at arm's length and tilt them slightly. Then focus on an object in the distance, move them up and down and see if there is any distortion, especially at the lens' edges. If the lenses are high quality, there should be no movement.

* Don't confuse the shade of the lens with the ability to filter UV rays. Dark sunglasses may still allow UV rays to enter the eye and can be more harmful than wearing no glasses at all, because they cause the pupil of the eye to dilate, which allows more UV rays to enter.

* When buying sunglasses to use when driving, make sure they are in the filter category of 0-3. A lens carrying a filter category of 4 will be too dark for safe driving. Never wear sunglasses while driving at night or in poor light.

* Avoid scratches, as a scratched lens will scatter the sun's light and could cause glare around the area of the scratch. Avoid wear and tear by using a case, cleaning them with a mild detergent and water or a lens cleaner and drying them with a microfibre cloth - not paper, which can scratch the lens.

* Don't discard sunglasses in the winter. The sun's UV rays can be present in high enough levels to warrant protection throughout the year and the glare can be more noticeable as the sun's lower in the sky.

Summer sense

* Get children into the habit of wearing sunglasses from an early age. There are many ranges suitable for younger ones with elasticated bands to keep them in place.

* Hot weather means more time outdoors playing sport, doing DIY, or gardening. A protective see-through eye mask is essential if you are using tools to chisel or drill, and can also protect your eyes when lawnmowing or strimming.

Sport suitable sunglasses, with an elasticated band to keep them in place, help protect eyes from glare, stray balls, summer insects or grit.

There are also 'sun contact lenses' available from contact lens practitioners.

* Pool or sea water can contain bacteria harmful the eye. Don't wear contact lenses while swimming, unless you've been advised that you can. If you do wear them, discard them after you come out of the water and put in a fresh pair.

If your poor vision's a problem, opt for prescription swimming goggles.

* Sun worshippers who top up their tans on a sunbed may not like the 'panda eyes' effect but they should always wear the protective goggles provided, as the strong UV rays are extremely damaging to the eyes.

* Rubbing itchy eyes because of hay fever can irritate the delicate surface of the cornea, and increase the risk of infection.

Ideally, use antihistamine drops in advance of symptoms and allow a period of time for the medication to 'build up' to be effective. Consult an optometrist or doctor for guidance.