The United States Congress recognizes National Sunglasses Day.
The Vision Council and optical industry (in the US) have been promoting and educating consumers about the damaging effects of UV rays for sometime now. Last week the United States Congress have passed 'National Sunglasses Day' to fall on the 27th of June and officially entered National Sunglasses Day into the Congressional record.
It's great to see America leading the way and promoting wearing UV protective eyewear while encouraging others to do the same.
Australia has promoted the same message in the past but we are yet to make the day official. In 2011 the Queensland Eye Institute launched an exciting new education program aimed at raising awareness and the damaging effects of UV rays (especially within Australia.)
Australia has the highest sunglasses standards in the world and wearing your "sunnies" will protect you from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage your eyes, and repeated exposure can cause a range of short-term and long-term issues including:
- Excessive blinking
- Swelling or difficulty looking at strong light
- Acute photokeratopathy (sunburn of the cornea or snow-blindness).
- Cataracts (cloudiness of the lens)
- Pterygium (an overgrowth of the conjunctiva on to the cornea)
- Solar keratopathy (cloudiness of the cornea)
- Cancer of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye)
- Skin cancer of the eyelids and around the eyes.
Remember to wear your sunnies when outdoors, driving or exposed to UV light.
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National Sunglasses Day recognized by The Vision Council and optical industry as taking place today, June 27, 2014 - See more at: http://www.visionmonday.com/latest-news/article/congress-recognizes-june-27-as-national-sunglasses-day-applauds-vision-council-and-sunglass-manufacturers-for-uv-education-efforts-1/#sthash.axXEtB3a.dpuf