Public fails to realise dangers of UV to eye

Ninety per cent of British people are unaware of the need to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays, according to the fifth annual Healthy Sight Survey by Transitions Optical.

The independent IPSOS report revealed that 79 per cent of people associated UV rays with tumours and the risk of cancer, but only an alarmingly low 9 per cent were worried about eye damage. The survey also showed that almost half of the UK population, 41 per cent, spends in excess of 15 hours outdoors during a typical week.

Transitions Optical EMEA general manager and optometrist Lindsay Brown said: 'Long-term unprotected exposure to the sun's UV rays can result in a range of eye health problems including age-related macular degeneration - the leading cause of blindness in the UK - cataracts and other eye conditions that can affect the quality of our vision.'