The World Health Organisation Recommend Sunglasses
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to 80 per cent of a person’s lifetime UV exposure occurs before the age of 18. Consequently, the sun protection measures that one takes during childhood are absolutely critical.
WHO state that the chronic effects of the sun’s UV radiation on the eyes include Cataracts, Pterygium and Squamous cell Carcinoma.
WHO say that schools are vitally important settings to promote sun protection and can play a significant role in increasing awareness and changing behaviour.
Why is it so important that children wear sunglasses?
Firstly, children typically spend more time outdoors than adults.
Secondly, the crystalline lens of a child is still developing, it transmits more UV to the retina than that of an adult.
This all adds up to the fact that wearing sunglasses during childhood will make a difference to eye health outcome.
As an aside, as children spend so much of their daily outdoor time at school, especially at the times of day when UV levels are at their peak, it is highly beneficial for children to be wearing sunglasses when they are outdoors at school just as they would a sunhat.
75%%
of parents have heard of Sunsmart’s Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.
72%%
of parents say schools should have sunglasses available as part of the uniform.
80%%
of a person’s lifetime UV exposure occurs before the age of 18.
7%%
of people associate UV with eye problems – hence the need for education.
Some of the Schools We Work With
“You see mums and dads wearing sunglasses but their children won’t be. We thought let’s introduce sunglasses over the summer months and it’s taken off.”
Bruce Cunningham – Principal – Belmont Primary School