30 May, 2024
Pop on some shades and raise awareness for World Sunglasses Day on Thursday 27th June 2024
Protect your eyes
Did you know that nearly 1 in 4 Australians do not wear sunglasses outside in the day? For World Sunglasses Day 2024 on 27 June 2024, join us to raise awareness about the importance for everyone to protect their eyes from damaging ultra violet (UV) rays.
Long term exposure to too much UV light has been associated with developing permanent damage to the eye, with evidence showing that greater sunlight exposure can lead to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration. 1 Ultraviolet radiation is also a risk factor for damage to the retinas of children. 2
For people living with an inherited retinal disease, extra care should be taken to protect the retina.
- Research shows that in the case of some types of inherited retinal diseases such Stargardt disease, UV sunlight can increase the toxicity of the waste products accumulating in the retina. 3 4
- Sunglasses will also help relieve discomfort from glare, which can be a common symptom with some types of IRDs such as achromatopsia.
To reduce risks, it is recommended to wear sunglasses when outdoors.
Do I need to wear sunglasses in winter?
Even though UV levels are higher in summer than winter, Australia experiences some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world.
Optometry Australia encourages Australians to wear sunglasses all day and all year round. “Maximal UV exposure for skin is 10 till 2 but because our brow blocks a lot of direct UV rays entering the eyes in the middle of the day, maximal ocular exposure happens when the sun is lower on the horizon, which is why it’s still important to wear sunnies in winter”. 5
In addition to recommending protecting the eyes when the UV level is 3 or above, the Royal Australian and New Zealand Colledge of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) recommend protecting eyes from UV at all times for certain activities such as skiing, boating and going to the beach, as snow and water are highly reflective surfaces and because UV levels are higher at higher altitudes. 6
What sort of sunglasses should I wear?
Choose sunglasses or UV protective eyewear that meet the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 1067:2003 Sunglasses and Fashion Spectacles. All sunglasses sold in Australia must be tested and labeled according to this standard.
It is recommended to look for a lens category of at least 2 or preferably 3 or 4 to reduce glare and provide good UV protection.
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