We all know to protect our skin before going out in the sun these days, but neglecting to protect the eyes is still all too common, according to an expert.
Specsavers optometrist Karen Walsh said research indicates 40 per cent of people are still not wearing sunglasses when they go out on bright days.
"It's important that we all understand the long-term damage of the sun on our eyes and how to prevent it," she said.
"While our eyelids are designed to protect our eyes, the skin around our eyes is very thin and contains fragile tissues that can easily be damaged by UV light."
Karen said UV damage to the eye and eyelid increases the risk of serious conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and eyelid skin cancers, including melanoma.
But she said there are simple steps which can be taken to protect our eyes while still enjoying what the sun has to offer.
- READ MORE: Choose UV protection over style
- READ MORE: Keep an eye on family health history
Here are Karen's top tips for keeping your eyes safe this summer:
- Apply sunscreen on your eyelids and around your eyes: Due to the thin skin and fragile tissue of the eyelids, it is extra important to make sure you apply sunscreen to your eyelids and reapply every two hours.
- Wear a broadbrimmed hat: Hats can provide much needed protection for the head, nose, ears and neck, as well as the eyes.
- Wear sunglasses that have UV protection: Sunglasses that have polarised lenses provide superior vision and glare protection in bright light. The best form of sunglasses for extended periods of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure are wraparound sunglasses, which are specifically shaped to keep light from shining around the frames and into your eyes.
- Be mindful of the amount of time you spend in the sun: The longer you spend outside, the higher your chance of experiencing sun damage. If you know you will be spending a long period outside, try to find a shaded area.
- Understand your family history: If you have a family history of melanoma or skin cancer, you could be at higher risk of developing those conditions.
- Get your eyes tested regularly: The best way to understand if your eyes are healthy and free from damage is to visit your local optometrist. Specsavers recommends that people should get their eyes tested every two years, or every year if they are 65 or older.
- General tips: Remember the slip, slop, slap, seek and slide rule. When you're outside, slip on sun protective clothing, slop on SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and, slide on sunglasses that provide UV protection.
Are there signs of sun damage to the eyes?
Yes! In addition to some serious long-term conditions which can develop over time, the sun can also have more immediate effects which can cause pain, irritation and discomfort. Signs your eyes have had too much exposure to the sun may include discomfort or redness, tears, blurry vision, swelling, light sensitivity, eyelid twitching, a gritty feeling in the eyes, short-term loss of vision, or seeing halos
Worrying stats
Recent research by Specsavers revealed the following worrying statistics:
- 54 per cent of Australians admit that they would not be confident recognising the signs and symptoms of sun damage to their eyes, despite Australia experiencing some of the highest levels of UV1 and rates of skin cancer in the world.
- On average, Australians spend almost 2.2 hours outside a day during summer, yet 40 per cent say they don't wear sunglasses most of the time they go outside.
- Over half (52 per cent) of Australians say that they often pick sunglasses based on their look and style rather than how much sun protection they provide.
- 42 per cent of Australians don't consider the level of UV protection when choosing sunglasses, and one in four don't know what polarised lenses are.
