According to a new national survey, safety is
taking a back seat for Australian drivers, with more than 60 per cent of people
risking accidents by driving without sunglasses on glary days.
The survey conducted by Optometrists Association Australia (OAA), also revealed that 26 per cent of people who require prescription sunglasses are potentially also putting themselves at risk by wearing regular sunglasses when driving.
“Individuals who struggle with long distance vision should be particularly conscious of the dangers of driving without their corrective lenses.”
The survey exposed men as the most at risk group with almost 70 per cent of males driving without protecting their eyes from glare.
And when it comes to protecting our eyes from UV damage, according to the latest research, more than half of all Australians are not adequately protecting their eyes, risking cataracts, eye lid cancer and pterygia. Victorians are the worst in the country with 64 per cent of them failing to protect their eyes from the sun. It's important to note that UV exposure accumulates over time which heightens the risk of damage to the eyes, particularly as you get older. Wearing a hat and sunglasses that meet the Australian standards can significantly reduce the risk of UV damage
“Protective lenses that adjust to changing light conditions like Transitions lenses are a convenient option for people who wear prescription glasses, and there are options available for driving as well.”
Interestingly, the survey demonstrated that prescription wearers are significantly more concerned about UV eye damage than non-prescription wearers.
While OAA research shows that awareness of, and concern over, eye health issues has grown over the last five years, with 30 per cent of Australians now listing eye damage as an effect of UV radiation compared with just 10 per cent in 2006, it’s not enough
For advice on UV eye protection or information on pterygium and other eye conditions simply drop in to one of our seven centres around Sydney.
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Tips for protecting your eyes against UV damage:
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About the survey: Optometrists Association Australia’s online survey investigated the views and behaviour of 1,006 adults in protecting their eyes from UV exposure. The survey was conducted in September 2011 through research company, PureProfile.
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