Believe it or not, sunglasses are not just for the sunny days. Canadian eye doctors say wearing sunglasses all year round is actually crucial to maintain optimal eye health.
June marks Cataract Awareness Month and that is why the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) is raising awareness and educating Canadians about the eye disease, which is the primary cause of vision loss. As of today, cataracts impact over 2.5 million individuals in the country.
According to a recent survey by COS, 38 per cent of Canadians are still unfamiliar with the disease and the majority (73 per cent) are unaware it’s the leading cause of blindness.
In addition, younger Canadians are especially prone to harmful UV rays because they do not take enough precaution. Only a third of respondents who are parents say their children wear sunglasses regularly on a sunny day (33 per cent) or during the summer months (32 per cent), whereas only 13 per cent say their children wear them on a cloudy day.
Though the eye disease is commonly found in people aged 60 and over, COS is encouraging Canadians to take the necessary precautions now to further decrease their chances of getting the disease in the future.
“Cumulative, prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays increases the risk of developing cataracts and other eye conditions,” President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society Dr. Phil Hooper said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Over time, this exposure gradually causes the lens to become clouded, resulting in increasingly blurred or hazy vision that eventually interferes with everyday activities. Wearing sunglasses across all seasons, from a young age, will help protect the eyes from UV exposure, reducing the risk of developing cataracts later in life,” he added.
The society has outlined the following recommendations to help protect one’s eyes:
- Encourage consistent use of sunglasses: Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection even on cloudy days, as some UV rays can still pass through even under extreme overcast.
- Promote UV-protective eyewear for car rides: UVA rays can penetrate glass, so emphasize the importance of wearing sunglasses in vehicles to minimize UV exposure during travel.
- Advocate for year-round eye protection: Educate your peers about the need to wear sunglasses throughout the year, not only during the summer months, to maintain optimal eye health.
