Essilor launches campaign to raise awareness of UV light impact

A national campaign to raise consumer awareness of the impact over-exposure to harmful UV light could be having on long-term eye health has been launched by Essilor.

Backed by the British Skin Foundation, the Think About Your Eyes (TAYE) #PractiseSafeSun campaign carried out a survey which revealed that consumers in the UK were exposed to an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes of sunlight per day – seven times over the safe daily limit recommended by experts.

Over half (52 per cent) of the 1,000 people surveyed as part of the TAYE campaign knew that the cumulative effect of sun damage to the eyes could lead to irreversible changes in vision, but took few precautions to protect their eyes. Men and women over 55 had the highest level of exposure on weekdays (1 hour 24 minutes) with 45-54 year-olds the worst offenders on weekends with 1 hour 45 minutes.