29 July 2021
Like mistaking a stranger in the street for a long-lost friend, the post-pandemic summer holiday is familiar but different.
Yes, you will have a dose of sunshine – but it may be on a beach closer to home or a deck chair in your backyard.
There will be the same packing dilemmas – an extra book or another pair of shoes? – but you are more likely to be checking the weather forecast of Margate than Marbella.
Regardless of destination, AOP has stepped up to ensure that one item is on every UK holidaymakers’ checklist – a pair of sunglasses with UV protection to protect eye health.
The Association’s SPF for your eyes campaign launched this week and will run until the end of September, encouraging the public to protect their eyes as they would seek to protect their skin from sun damage.
Using data from the Voice of Optometry survey, the AOP highlights that almost a quarter of optometrists see up to nine patients every month with an eye disease linked to UV exposure, with 15% reporting that they see more than 20.
AOP members can participate in the campaign by downloading the campaign pack, which can be found on the website. The pack includes resources to use in practice, online and on social media.
Practices can also use #EyeSPF to participate in the campaign on social media.
British sailor Luke Patience, who is currently in Tokyo competing in the Olympic Games, has previously spoken to OT about the importance of protecting his vision with sunglasses.
OT is keen to hear your thoughts on the topic of sun protection and how optometrists can protect the eye health of their patients during the summer months.
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Anonymous09 August 2021
Hi, has there been any published research to prove UV protect sunspecs have prevented eye disease? We need this as a profession as from my own personal experience I would say yes they provide protection against disease to eyes & surrounding skin as I’m getting to a ripe old age & I have no pingeculae unlike most ppl I see at my age & less wrinkles around my eyes compared to those who dislike wearing sunnies & my iris naevus seems to unchanged in size from my use of sunspecs. I don’t think HES advocate sunnies as a form of protection, possibly as there may be lack of research. The big sunspecs firms could maybe promote a long term study of ppl wearing sunnies vs non wearers & c if cats dvp or naevi worsen? The biggest thing I find though with my Rx or non Rx ones with Cls is that the protection from daytime glare is 2nd to none esp my Polaroids, as many ppl come to a standstill on the Mway when the sun suddenly hits them when they come around a corner & im the only ‘fool’ who is wearing sunspecs out of the 1000s who have driven by on a Glary winters day
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