With UV radiation being a constant threat in Australia, optometrists recommend you safeguard your vision all year round.
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.
Specsavers optometrist Fiona Barrett explains, "The sun's UV rays can cause irreversible damage to the eyes, leading to conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and ocular melanoma. As an optometrist, I recommend investing in high-quality sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and wearing them whenever outdoors.
“Look out for signs of UV damage such as redness, blurry vision, swelling, light sensitivity, seeing halos and tears. But know that some symptoms of serious UV related eye disease won’t be visible so it’s crucial to have your eyes checked by an optometrist regularly.
“An eye health check is more than a simple vision test to determine whether you need glasses, it is actually an important health check that can identify underlying eye conditions, any issues related to UV damage, and more general health conditions,” said Fiona.
In Australia, early detection of most eye conditions can help prevent vision loss. Advanced imaging technologies, such as 3D eye scans, can assist in detecting and monitoring eye conditions earlier and more accurately over time.
Did you know?
People with lighter eye colours such as blue, grey, or green eyes are more susceptible to UV rays, increasing the risk of developing serious eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration and even ocular melanoma—a potentially life-threatening form of eye cancer.
Optometrist Fiona’s top tips for preventing sun damage to the eyes:
- Apply sunscreen to your eyelids and around your eyes: While the eyelid is designed to protect the eye, the skin is very thin and contains fragile tissues that can be damaged by UV light so it’s important to make sure you apply sunscreen to your eyelids and reapply it every two hours.
- Wear a broadbrimmed hat: This will not only provide protection to your head but also your eyes, nose, ears and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that have UV protection: For the best kind of protection, buy sunglasses that have polarised lenses as they 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. They are 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 spend most of it in 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. It’s recommended that you get your eyes tested every two years, or every year if you’re 65 and over.
Make a booking with your optometrist for more information.
Specsavers is part of the Queensland Country health Fund Premier Provider Network. For more information about our Premier Provider Network click here
^ For those with a valid Medicare card without optometry restrictions
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