SUN SAFETY AND EYE HEALTH by Specsavers

Living in Australia means that we can be exposed to dangerous levels of UV radiation when we’re outside, even when it’s not bright and sunny. 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.

UV damage to the eye and eyelid increases risk of serious conditions such as eyelid skin cancers, intraocular melanoma, conjunctival cancers, cataracts, macular degeneration and more. Read on for our top tips on protecting your eyes this summer.

1. Apply sunscreen on 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.

2. Wear a broadbrimmed hat: This will not only provide protection to your head but also your eyes, nose, ears and neck.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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. At Specsavers, we recommend that you get your eyes tested every two years, or every year if you’re 65 and over.

More generally: remember the SunSmart slip, slop, slap, seek and slide rule. When you’re outside, slip on sun protective clothing.