Eye Fund: Watch out for eye damage from UV rays from the sun
Those who live or go on holiday in Thailand can enjoy the exuberant sunshine almost every day and that is wonderful, but what most do not realize is that UV radiation from the sun can cause permanent damage to the eyes. The Eye Fund advises to always protect your eyes with good sunglasses.
An overdose of UV radiation increases the risk of cataracts. Recent research also mentions age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This eye condition is the leading cause of permanent visual impairment. As with skin cancer, the consequences occur after the accumulation of damage over a longer period of time. Good sunglasses are therefore essential. This advice applies doubly to children: they spend more time outside and their eyes are extra sensitive to UV radiation.
Make sure you have your sunglasses with you
Eye Fund director Edith Mulder, director of the Eye Fund: “Our own poll has shown that the Dutch are lax about protecting their eyes against the sun. You cannot see or feel UV radiation, but your eyes will suffer irreparable damage unnoticed. Good sunglasses are just as important as sunscreen. So make sure you always have sunglasses with you in the spring and summer, so that you can put them on if necessary.”
New folder: UV radiation and eyes
Because the Eye Fund often receives questions about UV radiation and how best to protect the eyes against this, the foundation is launching the new online folder 'Eyes and UV radiation'. This includes tips for good sunglasses. The brochure can be ordered at www.oogfonds.nl/uv.
I always wear sunglasses even when the sun isn't shining and often even inside shopping malls. Much nicer in your own safe zone and easy on the eye.
Never owned and never missed sunglasses. See and read everything without tools. How people must have suffered before sunglasses were invented.
Oh yes, I'm almost 70...
Previously, the ozone layer, which protects us against UV radiation, was considerably thicker. That is also the reason why there is much more skin cancer than in the past. So it may well be true that you are not affected by it, but generations after us are significantly more at risk. The warning really makes sense.
Earlier ? The ozone layer has only been known since 1913 and only in the last 30 years has there been concern about its depletion, which, by the way, is on the right track.
I think it is premature to start talking about generations now because it is expected that the number of cases of skin cancer will decrease due to the increase in the ozone layer. And of course being less in the sun also helps a lot, so a lot of awareness of the dangers of exposure.
I used to wear glasses. Live permanently in Thailand since 2008. Do some sun gazing sometimes.
I haven't worn glasses in a while and I don't wear contact lenses anymore.
I will be a special case again for sure.
I'm glad I got rid of those glasses.
Am 71 and have never worn sunglasses in my life. Don't think it's going that fast! The body is made to deal with all kinds of situations. Just had the eyes checked at an ophthalmologist. Reading glasses only. However, never sit or lie in the sun for long hours.
Research shows that due to the use of smartphones and the like, for example, 90% of children in China need glasses for correction. So adjusting the eyes will take a while.
The police can now continue to wear their sunglasses!
Oogfonds has a new folder. Can be sent to your email address. However, only from NL. Not from Thailand or other countries outside Nl. Don't know who subsidizes the eye fund, but excluding tropics in 2018 is far beyond reality.
Sorry for my above email. Received the folder after 3x trying here. Despite the previous report that the folder will not be sent outside, viz. Eyes are important in terms of attention, especially at a later age. Certainly here.