Australians don’t protect their eyes enough in summer

One big summer mistake could have serious long-term health consequences for Australians with a habit of taking a far too passive approach to sun protection.

Trendy specs might look cool on Instagram, but the truth is they’re not always the sun-safe accessories wearers might think they are, particularly for more than 40 per cent of Aussies with light-coloured eyes.

Without UV protective sunnies; cataracts, macular degeneration and even eye cancers could become a reality for Aussies – each condition coming with varying treatability.

“Over the years I’ve recommended people wear sunglasses and they come back a year after and they have some of these conditions despite being very diligent with wearing sunglasses year-round,” optometrist of 20 years Michelle Phan told news.com.au.

“But it turns out they haven’t actually bought the right type of sunglasses. So I’ve changed my wording now.”

Sunglasses with polarised lenses protect from both UV and glare, making them the better choice, whereas others are just “dipped” in colour tint and have a UV coat slapped on top.

“When you’re getting new sunglasses, you should aim for the polarised lenses which are a better form of sun protection because of the filter that they have,” Ms Phan said.

“The other types are just not as good and often people are paying big money just for the branding and the fashion aspect.”

Choosing the perfect pair of sunnies involves more than just getting polarised lenses, Ms Phan added.

“You need to make sure you have enough coverage so that stray light doesn’t get through the sides as well,” she said, urging Aussies to also apply sunscreen around the eyes and wear a broad-brimmed hat too.

Not being in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, knowing family history and getting regular eye checks were also vitally important.

Research conducted by Specsavers revealed more than 40 per cent of Australians routinely exposed their eyes to damaging consequences, while only 22 per cent of the population wore eye protection year-round, as is the national recommendation.

It also found that even in summer when UV rays are at their most harsh, only 32 per cent of Australians consistently wore sunnies outside.

The figures were described as “alarming” particularly given the well-documented and widely known dangers of prolonged UV exposure.

The best defence against damage from UV exposure was sunglasses that offer 100 per cent UV protection, Specsavers optometrist Kalp Shah said.

“The sun’s UV rays can cause irreversible damage to the eyes, leading to conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and ocular melanoma,” Mr Shah said.

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