WITH TEMPERATURES SET TO RISE AGAIN NEXT WEEK, SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE CAMPAIGNS HAVE ALREADY STARTED, URGING EVERYONE TO PROTECT THEIR SKIN FROM UV RAYS.
These days, stocking up on sun block at the first sign of sunshine is the norm, with three quarters of Brits using sun tan lotion during the summer months.
However, the team at Silverberg Opticians feel that while we’re upping our game in terms of protecting our skin from UV rays, we’re still not doing as much as we could be to look after our eyes. Years of exposure to sunlight can contribute to issues such as cataracts (a clouding of the lens which can affect vision) and can cause conjunctival cancers, eyelid cancers and even corneal sunburn.
Almost all of these UV-related eye conditions can be detected by an optician during a routine eye test, so it’s important to keep up with your annual eye tests to make sure there haven’t been any changes.
Also, the team at Silverberg Opticians are passionate about the importance of taking preventative steps, such as wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes from all harmful UV rays on bright days. They also stock Zeiss lenses for spectacles, which give full UV protection, and many of their contact lenses also have inbuilt UV protection.
Director, Colin Dorricott, said: “We see people in store far too often who have medical ocular issues because they haven’t protected themselves from the sun in the past. Our eyes are so vitally important to us – we need to look after them.”
The advice on looking after your eyes in the sunshine issued by the Silverberg team mirrors the current guidance from the NHS, which is to: “Never look at the sun directly, even when something exciting such as an eclipse is happening. Doing so can cause irreversible damage to your eyesight and even lead to blindness.
“Several studies also suggest sunlight exposure is a risk factor for cataracts. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses can help protect your eyes from UV rays. The College of Optometrists recommends buying good-quality dark sunglasses – these needn’t be expensive.
If you’re not sure whether your current glasses or sunglasses are protecting your eyes from UV rays, the Silverberg team are happy to offer impartial advice. They also provide in-depth eye examinations, which can pick up on a range of health issues. The team is also happy to offer informal one-to-one advice on staying sun safe and protecting your vision whatever the weather.
Tel. 0151 709 2012, email: enquiries@silverbergopticians.co.uk
Website: www.silverbergopticians.co.uk
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