Support For Campaign

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS EYECARE CAMPAIGN

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside is throwing his support behind a new awareness-raising campaign from the sight charity Eyecare Trust, which is warning parents to protect their children's eyes from the summer sun or risk permanent damage by the UV rays.Mr Sargeant said: “The campaign is highlighting the little known fact that our eyes are ten times more sensitive to UV light than our skin; and children's eyes can be as much as 70 per cent more susceptible to eye damage than adults as their pupils are bigger and lenses are clearer.“According to the World Health Organisation, an astonishing 80 per cent of a lifetime's UV is absorbed into the eye before the age of eighteen, due to more sensitivity and factors such as playing outdoors. The Eyecare Trust says that cumulative exposure to UV is a major cause of macular degeneration and cataracts, which could affect the next generation when they are older if their eyes are not protected early on.“The message to parents is simple - protect it now or lose it later. UV damage to the eyes is cumulative and totally irreversible. If we don't take steps to protect our children's eyes, repeated exposure can and will result in them suffering sight threatening conditions in later life. Ideally all children - and adults - should wear good quality sunglasses and a peaked hat when spending any time outdoors. It's especially important for parents to safeguard their children's eyes when they are playing on the beach or by water where there is a lot of reflected light."