ThinkUV campaign launched

Online contact lens retailer, Vision Direct has joined forces with the UK’s leading eye research charity, Fight for Sight, for a second consecutive year to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the eyes from UV rays.

Launching #ThinkUV, the organisations are urging the public to protect their eyes and think about the dangers of UV rays during the summer months.

As part of the campaign, both bodies are encouraging people to take a sunglasses selfie and share it on social media to raise funds for pioneering research into sight loss prevention.

Discussing the initiative, Vision Direct highlighted that while “many people are proactive in wearing sunglasses, they are unaware that even during cloudy days their eyes are vulnerable to high levels of UV exposure.”

The online retailer is asking people to upload their selfies to retweet using the hashtag #ThinkUV. For every customer who tweets the hashtag, Vision Direct has pledged to donate £3 to Fight for Sight until 31 August 2017.

For the duration of the campaign, which began on 1 August, £3 from every pair of sunglasses sold by Vision Direct will also be donated to the charity.

Chief operating officer at Vision Direct, Brendan O’Brien, commented: “Many people don't realise the potentially damaging effect that UV can have on their eye health. That's why we're encouraging people to #ThinkUV this summer and wear their sunglasses. We're proud to be working alongside Fight for Sight on this campaign and to continue to support their pioneering research.”

Fight for Sight’s chief executive, Michele Acton, added: “We are pleased to partner with Vision Direct to highlight how significant it is to wear sunglasses to help keep your eyes healthy. We are urging the nation to support the fight for sight and take a #ThinkUV selfie to raise funds for vital eye research.”