UV light and eyesight

Too much UV light exposure to skin is well known to be extremely dangerous and has had a massive amount of awareness to the repercussions of not using sunscreen. UV light damage doesn’t stop with the skin, too much UV light on the eye leads to cataracts, Pterygium, Cancer and many other eye problems that lead to blindness or impaired vision. As the eye is the most sensitive part of the body to even the weakest of UV light exposure, the amount of information and awareness is so little, the functional need to wear sunglasses as protection has been lost amongst fashion and frippery.

“Too much UV coming through can eventually cause a cataract to grow over the years”

(Taken from open.edu interview with J. Mellerio, 15 Oct 1999)

Evolution has provided humans with natural sun blockers, the brow ridge, eyebrows and eyelashes. Physical adaptations only happen when there is a threat to the survival of a species and the reason we have such a pronounced brow is no mere coincidence. However in extreme conditions such as in snow, these features may not be enough, and the use of protective eyewear is necessary.

“In fact research suggests that, in July in London, it takes just 15 minutes to exceed the UV exposure limit (for one eight hour day).”

(Taken from thinkaboutyoureyes.co.uk)

Zed would like to use highly protective lenses that cover the eye well; this is to ensure the wearer has maximum protection from sunrays. The promotion of the health benefits to sunglasses needs to be explained to the current generation who assume tinted eyewear is merely a fashion choice. Collaborating with charities or individuals already with this problem may create a powerful and emotive way to create awareness for this problem.