By embracing some simple actions and making them a way of life, you and your family can safely enjoy the great outdoors while protecting the health of your eyes and the sensitive skin around them.
- Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun. Sun damage to the eyes can occur any time of year.
- Wear sunglasses marked category 2, 3 or 4, which provide good UV protection.
- Category 0 or 1 novelty or toy sunglasses with coloured lenses don’t provide enough protection and should be avoided.
- Polarised lenses are great for cutting out reflected glare and are useful for the beach, fishing and driving.
- Sunglasses are also available for those who need prescription lenses and come in tinted, polarized or photochromatic (darken with the sun) options.
- Wear a broad brimmed hat with tightly woven fabric (no holes) to protect your face and the top of your head. Hats can block as much as half of all UV rays from your eyes and eyelids.
- Use a broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours thereafter. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
- Be aware of clouds: the sun’s rays can pass through haze and clouds, so eye protection is important even when there is cloud cover.
- Take extra care near water, snow and sand: 80% or more of the sun’s rays reflect off these surfaces, causing them to hit your eyes and skin a second time.