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In an effort to protect children from eye damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Opthamologists called for a change to the 'No Hat, No Play' rule for children in primary schools recently to now include sunglasses.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift agreed with the callout, saying, "Adequate eye protection against UV radiation is vital for adults and children during outdoor activity in daylight hours.
"Damage to the eyes can occur regardless of the UV level, so we strongly recommend children wear sunglasses during daytime outdoor activity."
She continued, "Children are particularly sensitive to skin and eye damage from UV radiation, and it's critical to limit the exposure of very young children to UV radiation."
By introducing a policy throughout all schools, Katie Clift believes it will send an important message to parents, educators and children. "Broadening the no hat, no play policy to include sunglasses would significantly strengthen protection for children against future risk of cancer, further safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our next generation."
According to the Vision Council, research has shown that young eyes are especially susceptible to UV-related harm. "Unlike the mature lens of an adult eye, a child's ocular lens cannot effectively filter out UV rays, so more radiation reaches the retina."
Opthalmologist Dr Shanel Sharma told ABC Radio Sydney that opthamologists were seeing an increase in cases of young children with UV damage of the eyes.
Dr. Alina Zeldovich, Eye Surgeon and Clinical Lecturer at Sydney University agreed, saying, "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."
Both long term and short-term exposure to UV radiation can harm the eyes, affecting the vision and damaging overall eye health. And the damaging effects are cumulative, often being advanced before any change in vision is noticed.
Dr Shanel Sharma explains, "A lot of the damage that is occurring in childhood is just like skin cancer, which is undetectable until later on."
UV radiation exposure to the eyes is not only a concern for hot summer days. Instead, it can differ dramatically from the pattern of ambient UV radiation and is also about positioning of the sun.
Cancer Council states: "The level of UV exposure to the eyes is highly dependent on the angle of sunlight reaching the eyes, which is influenced by time of day and time of year. The eye receives direct UV radiation when facing the sun with the sun low in the sky, however reflected and scattered light also have a strong impact in contributing to the total UV exposure to the eyes. Exposure also depends on facial geometry, with the brows and nose blocking some UV radiation at certain times of day."
These factors mean that risk of UV radiation exposure to the eyes can be higher before 10am and after 2pm, simply because of the angle of the sun. It also depends on the activity, with sunlight also reflecting from bright surfaces: water reflects up to 100 per cent; concrete and sand reflects up to 25 per cent.
What to look for in children's sunglasses:
- Choose wraparound, close-fitting, large-lens sunglasses that meet Australian/New Zealand Standards.
- Choose sunglasses that are rated lens category two, three or four, rather than basic fashion spectacles or children's toy sunglasses.
- Choose lenses with UV 400 protection and lens coatings that block reflected light.
- Choose sunglasses with polarised lenses.
- Ensure that the sunglasses offer both UVA and UVB protection.
- Make sure they fit well. Sunglasses that are uncomfortable are less likely to be worn.
- Wearing a broad-brimmed hat along with wraparound sunglasses can reduce UV radiation exposure to the eyes by up to 98 per cent.
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