Editor – Many of us reach for the sun cream when the weather turns warm. Far fewer of us think about protecting our eyes in the same way, and that’s something we at RNIB Scotland would like to change.
As Scotland’s leading sight loss charity, we want your readers to know that their eyes need protection from the sun just as much as their skin does. Prolonged exposure to UV rays has been linked to a greater risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, yet sunglasses are often treated as an accessory rather than a safeguard.
So what should people look for? It comes down to the label, not the price tag. Check the inside of the arms for a CE, UKCA, UV400 or British Standard quality mark. Any of these confirm the lenses will properly block harmful UV light. A cheap pair with the right marking will protect your eyes better than an expensive pair without it.
When the sun’s out, make sure your sunglasses are too.
