Don your shades to protect from UV rays
Tuesday, June 27, is National Sunglasses Day.
No, it is not a day to don your favourite shades, it is a day when people are asked to recognise the importance of protecting their eyes from UV rays.
UV radiation is often recognised as the culprit for sunburns and skin cancer but most people do not realise the damaging impact the wavelengths can inflict on their vision.
The problem originates with the sun’s unfiltered UV rays.
Just as these rays can burn skin cells, they can also harm unprotected eyes.
A full day outside without protection can cause immediate, temporary issues such as swollen or red eyes and hypersensitivity to light.
Years of cumulative exposure can cause cancer of the eye or eyelid and accelerate conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
National Sunglasses Day serves as a reminder that sunglasses are a major health necessity, regardless of whether it is sunny or cloudy, warm or cold, and aims to spread the word that sunglasses and other UV-protective eyewear are key to protecting long-term eye health.
Organised by The Vision Council, National Sunglasses Day is asking consumers to practice sun-safe behaviour by wearing their sunglasses throughout the year as the sun’s UV rays are always at play.
And then by National Sunglasses Day next year, wearing them will be a regular habit.
So on June 27 celebrate National Sunglasses Day by posting a ‘SunglassSelfie’ in your favourite sunnies to social media platforms.
Every day people make the conscious decision to not wear sunglasses or other UVprotective eyewear.
While seemingly harmless, this habit carries serious vision risks, many of which are not known or understood by those who fail to wear protective frames.
And on Tuesday you can make the decision to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays and join the thousands of others who will proudly wear their sunglasses that day.
On June 27 put on your shades to protect your eyes from UV rays