Summer EYE SAFETY

Don’t forget this important step to being sun smart

While most of us have got the message when it comes to protecting our skin from the sun, we often forget that it’s important to protect our eyes as well.

“Living in Australia means that we can be exposed to dangerous levels of UV radiation when we’re outside, even when it’s not bright and sunny,” optometrist Greeshma Patel from Specsavers says. “While our eyelids are designed to protect our eyes, the skin around our eyes is very thin and contains fragile tissues that can easily be damaged by UV light. UV damage to the eye and eyelid increases risk of serious conditions such as eyelid skin cancers, intraocular melanoma, conjunctival cancers, cataracts, macular degeneration and more.”

Obviously slipping on a pair of sunnies is one of the best ways that you can protect your eyes. However, the message can be confusing. Here, Patel answers your major questions.

WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?