An increase in significant UV damage to children’s eyes has prompted the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) to call on parents and schools to ensure children’s eyes are properly protected.
“Everyone knows how damaging UV exposure is for the skin, but many people are less aware of the devastating impact that sun exposure can have on their eyes,” said RANZCO President Associate Professor Mark Daniell. “UV exposure is especially harmful to children’s eyes because they are still developing and their lenses aren’t able to filter UV light as effectively as adults’ eyes can.”
“Studies show that UV damage to eyes occurs in childhood and is linked to eye disease later in life, including cataracts, pterygium, solar keratopathy, and skin cancer of the eyelids and around the eyes,” explained Dr. Alina Zeldovich, Eye Surgeon and Clinical Lecturer at Sydney University.
“We have seen a sharp increase in the number of children presenting with eye damage caused by UV exposure, which is unsurprising given that UV levels have increased dramatically over recent decades. The level of eye protection needed now is much greater than it was in the past.”
RANZCO recommended children wear broad brimmed hats when outdoors, as well as wrap-around sunglasses rated Category 3 in the Australian Standards for UV protection; with lenses that are polarised, have UV 400 protection and coatings to block reflected light from entering the eye.
