Townsville optometrist Gary Page warns locals to protect their eyes from harsh NQ UV rays

As Townsville’s UV index remains high, eye health experts are urging locals to step up their sun protection routine, with new research revealing that many Aussies are not wearing sunglasses.

Optometrists are warning Aussies to protect their eye health after research reveals that those with lighter eyes are at greater risk of UV damage.

As the UV index in Townsville remains high, eye health experts are stressing the importance of sun safety for your eyes.

Research conducted by Specsavers shows that 42 per cent of Australians have blue, green or grey eyes, which puts them at a higher risk of UV damage.

Lighter eye colours are affected more by UV rays, which can cause serious eye conditions, including cataracts and ocular melanoma.

The research, conducted by YouGov with a sample of 1016 Australians aged 18 years and older, has shown only 26 per cent of blue-eyed, 22 per cent of green-eyed, and only 12 per cent of grey-eyed Aussies wear sunnies all the time when outside year-round.

As a whole, only 22 per cent of Aussies wear sunglasses outdoors all year round, and during summer, when UV rays peak, only 32 per cent are consistently wearing sunglasses when they go outdoors.

Optometrists are warning Aussies to protect their eye health after research reveals that those with lighter eyes are at greater risk of UV damage.

Optometrists say these figures are alarming, given the widespread message of sun-safety across the country.

Townsville optometrist Gary Page warned the sun’s UV rays can cause irreversible damage to the eyes.

“It’s very crucial for Australians, especially those with lighter coloured eyes, to wear sunglasses every day to protect their sight,” he said.

Mr Page said wearing high-quality sunglasses that block 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays is the best way to protect your eyes.

“An eye health check is more than a simple vision test to determine whether you need glasses; it is actually an important health check that can identify underlying eye conditions, any issues related to UV damage and more general health conditions,” he said.

Townsville optometrist Gary Page’s top tips to protect your eyes:

• Apply sunscreen around your eyes: The skin is very thin around your eye and contains fragile tissues that can be damaged by UV light so it’s important to make sure you apply sunscreen and reapply it every two hours.
• Wear a broadbrimmed hat: This will not only provide protection to your head but also your eyes, nose, ears and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that have UV protection: For the best kind of protection, buy sunglasses that have polarised lenses as they provide superior vision and glare protection in bright light. The best form of sunglasses for extended periods of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure are large framed with polarised lenses
• Be mindful of the amount of time you spend in the sun: The longer you spend outside, the higher your chance of experiencing sun damage. If you know you will be spending a long period outside, try to spend most of it in a shaded area.
• Understand your family history: If you have a family history of melanoma or skin cancer, you could be at higher risk of developing those conditions.
• Get your eyes tested regularly: The best way to understand if your eyes are healthy and free from damage is to visit your local optometrist. At Specsavers, we recommend that you get your eyes tested every two years, or every year if you’re 65 and over.
• More generally: remember to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide rule. When you’re outside, slip on sun protective clothing, slop on SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and, slide on sunglasses that provide UV protection.

Originally published as Townsville optometrist Gary Page warns locals to protect their eyes from harsh NQ UV rays