holiday_2014

13 / 48

Did you know that sun exposure can also damage your eyes? We were
intrigued at seeing a 50+ lens when we received the advert at right from
Visique O’Hagan Vision Care Centre and asked the experts to share more
about the new developments in protective lenses.
CAN EYES GET SUNBURNED? “Yes,” says Heather O’Hagan, an
optometrist from Visique. “The eyes can get sunburned (called
photokeratitis), just like skin.” Although invisible, UV rays are quite
harmful to the eyes, so one cannot see the danger and avoid it. And less
than 10% of people worldwide are even aware of sunray dangers.
These UV-A and UV-B rays can have serious long and short-term effects,
she explains. “People with ‘eye sunburn’ experience symptoms including
a gritty feeling in the eyes, dry and red eyes, excessive tearing and intense
sensitivity to light. Although this is rarely permanent, long-term exposure to
the sun without proper eye protection can be harmful, contributing toward
the development of cataracts.”
Sunburned eyes aren’t the only concern: the Skin Cancer Foundation warns
against cancer on the eyelid that accounts for 5-10% of skin cancers.
The Eye-Sun Protection Factor or E-SPF
E-SPF is the new international index rating system certifying the UV
protection provided by your lens to your eyes and the sensitive skin
around them. (Other glasses may be marked with different rating systems.)
All lenses are not equal in terms of UV protection. E-SPF values vary from
2 to a maximum of 25 for clearlenses and 50+ for polarisedsunglass
lenses. Visique O’Hagan Vision Care chooses to recommend the Xperio
UV superior polarised sun lenses, which offer the most complete UV
protection with the top E-SPF 50+ (meaning the eye is more than 50
times better protected than without a lens). “We were really impressed
with how it handles glare,” Heather explains, “especially from reflections
off water and road surfaces. These revolutionary lenses make the
experience of boating, and the drive to get there, much more pleasant
with less eye fatigue.”
The separate polarising aspect of the lens cuts out reflections from other
bright surfaces such as snow, sand and streetlights by blocking the
horizontally reflected glare.
Steer clear of cheap sunglasses,
especially for kids!
Heather notes that the Visique offices offer protective sunglasses to new
entrants. “Some primary schools have taken it a step further by now
providing all students with sunglasses.”
However, sunglasses that are ‘dark ONLY’ do not provide protection and
can potentially cause more damage. Our Managing Editor Carol Wright
remembers, “My father was an optometrist, and in the 1960s, told us
about the then-new UV lens coatings, tossing in a science lesson. ‘The UV
rays burn your eyes,’ he said. ‘Cheap sunglasses do not have a coating
to block these rays.’ We kids knew that bright light made the iris’s pupil
smaller, while it enlarged when it was dark. ‘So, if you put on dark glasses,
your pupils get...what?’ LARGER! ‘Yes, and a larger pupil lets in MORE of
these harmful rays. You THINK you are protected. But...you aren’t!’”
Now, 50 years later, Heather agrees. “Don’t buy your littlies novelty
shades, which can potentially cause damage. Treat them to a lifetime of
good vision.”
Sunglasses: beyond being cool
Refers to more
than just skin.
Don’t forget your eyes.
ASK FOR
Your eyes need to be
protected against UV too!
E-SPF is the new international index certifying UV
protection provided by your lens.
Choose the right UV protection for your eyes today!
Visique O’Hagan Vision Care
School Ln, Waihi - 07 8637019
612 Port Rd, Whangamata - 07 8650007
11 Willoughby St, Paeroa - 07 8628978
186 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha - 07 8848015
Sunwear half page ver 4.indd 1 11/25/2014 12:49:43 PM
13