HGLIVING
176 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
APT PUPILS
Children’s eyes need exposure to
natural light to promote good vision and
help prevent short-sightedness. Ideally,
that should come from being outdoors
for two hours each day, says Dr Catt,
who also works at The Children’s
Hospital at Westmead in NSW. But
children’s eyes also need protection
from too much sun. The best approach
is commonsense. “A hat and sunscreen
are non-negotiable,” says Dr Catt. “If
there’s a lot of glare, ask children to wear
sunglasses, and make sure they wear
them at the beach or in the snow.”F
or people living in a
sunburnt country such
as Australia, sunglasses
aremorethanjustafashion
statement. They’re our eyes’
best friend, helping prevent
alonglistofconditionslinkedto
overexposure to ultraviolet light.
Toomuchsuncanleadto
problems on the eye’s surface,
including a pterygium, a non-
cancerousgrowththatusually
appearsattheinnercornerofthe
eye. These are quite common in
young people, especially surfers
orthoselivinginwarm,dusty
environments. A nother is a
pingueculum, which can look
likeaflesh-colouredspotonthe
white of the eye. Although not
dangerous,itcanbeirritating,
saysDrCarolineCatt,aSydney-
based ophthalmologist and a
spokesperson for The Eye
Surgeons’ Foundation.
More seriously, U V exposure
canincreasetheriskofanumber
ofcancersontheeye,including
melanoma. “These cancers are
more common from middle age
onwards,”saysDrCatt.“They
can be treated successfully if
they’re detected early.”
Eyelids can also be affected by
sun.“About90percentofcases
of the most common type of skincancer, basal cell carcinoma,
occur on the head and neck,” says
DrCatt.“And10percentofthese
appear on the eyelid, especially
the lower eyelid.” Cataracts and
macular degeneration can also
be exacerbated by U V exposure.
Alongwithstayingoutofthe
sun between 10am and 4pm,
thebestprotectionforoureyes
is wearing sunglasses all year
round, especially when you’re
exposed to reflected light from
sand,waterorsnow.
“Although prescription glasses
with clear lenses filter out some
U V light, sunglasses are much
better,” says Dr Catt. “They should
meet Australian Standard AS
1067andbelabelledwithaneye
protection factor of nine or 10,
or U V400. Polarised lenses are
goodforreducingglarebutdon’t
take the place of U V protection.”
Howoftenshouldyougetyour
eyes checked? “If you have no
problems with your eyes, get
themcheckedeverytwoyears.
Butifthereareproblemsora
family history of eye disease,
your ophthalmologist will tell
you how often you should have
themchecked,”saysDrCatt.
“With early treatment, about
75percentofblindnesscannow
be prevented.” # Illustration by Domenic Bahmann.Thebestprotectionforeyes
is wearing sunglasses, especiallywhen you’re exposed to reflected light
from sand, water or snow.
Health
Keepyourpeepershappy and
healthy by limiting their exposure
to harmful ultraviolet rays all year
round, writesPaula Goodyer.EYES RIGHT