Thursday, August 20, 2009

Most Kids in Great Britian Play without Sunglasses


Most parents wouldn't think of sending their kids outside without sunblock, yet a study from Great Britain showed that 75% of parents don't provide their children with sunglasses. Additionally, parents who do purchase sunglasses have a tendency to purchase extremely inexpensive sunglasses.

UV rays from sunlight can damage the retina and the lens of the eye.
Exposure can lead to long-term damage and has been linked to cataracts and macular degeneration as people age.

Cheap sunglasses with no UV filters can actually be more dangerous than wearing no sun protection. Sunglasses encourage the pupil to dilate. With no UV filter, the eyes are actually capturing more harmful ultraviolet rays.

Purchase sunglasses with UV protection. If you want guaranteed UV protection, look for the CE Mark for quality. These sunglasses are not necessarily expensive.

Particularly at risk are very young children and children with light colored eyes. Toddlers and younger should not be exposed to bright sunshine, and those with blue eyes should never be without eye protection.

Source: College of Optometrists

Resource: Sun Smart Campaign

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