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Survey: While
Sun Seen as Threat to Skin,
Few Realize Its Hazards for Eyes
NEW YORK, June 20
/PRNewswire/
-- Americans are highly aware of the sun's dangers to the skin but are
largely unaware of the sun's threat to the eyes, a new national survey
released today revealed.
The random telephone poll sponsored
by Transitions Optical, Inc., found that 79 percent of Americans know that
extended exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer but only 6 percent know
it can damage the eyes.
Exposure to UV light can result in
"sunburn" to the eye's surface, a condition known as
photokeratitis. Two other common types of damage to the eye's surface from
UV exposure are benign yellowish growths, pingueculas and pterygiums. Damage
from UV rays may also contribute to more serious conditions such as macular
degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans, and
cataracts, a major cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide.
"This survey is a wakeup call
to Americans that every time they reach for the suntan lotion or protective
clothing, they should also remember to guard their eyes against harmful UV
rays," said Susan Stenson, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at
New York University School of Medicine.
Even When Aware of Sun's Threat,
Americans Don't Take Precautions
The random telephone survey of
1,002 adults found that most people take few precautions against the harmful
effects of the sun even when they plan to be outside for extended periods of
time.
(Total does not add up to 100% as
multiple answers were allowed)
Surprisingly, as the survey shows,
only 18 percent of consumers wear eyewear to protect their sight from
dangerous UV rays.
UV Damage a Threat Even on Cloudy
Days
The dangers of UV rays in cloudy
weather are more top of mind for women (82 percent) than men (73 percent),
the survey found.
"What people don't realize is
that UV rays are an everyday threat," Stenson added. "Generally,
UV light is most intense at midday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), but you need to
protect your eyes whenever you're outside, even when it's gray and overcast.
She added, "The best defense
against UV damage is eyewear with built-in UV protection. People are
in the habit of using moisturizers with UV protection, but they forget about
equally important everyday protection for the eyes.
"Fortunately, consumers have a
range of options in the latest eyewear technology that offer UV protection
and should consult with an eyecare professional about what eyewear suits
their needs," said Dr. Stenson.
The survey was conducted from April
10-14, 2002. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent. The survey was
conducted by ICR in Media, Pa.
Transitions Optical, Inc.,
headquartered in Pinellas Park, Fla., offers the most advanced technology in
eyeglass lenses that adjust to changing light, allowing wearers to see
clearly and feel more comfortable in virtually any light condition. Indoors,
Transitions(R) Lenses are as clear as regular eyeglasses, providing the same
clarity of vision as regular lenses. Outdoors, they quickly darken according
to the intensity of ultraviolet light, getting as dark as sunglasses in
bright sunlight. Transitions(R) Lenses provide 100 percent UVa and UVb
protection, allowing for maximum protection in all lighting conditions every
day, indoors and outside.
For more information on
Transitions(R) Lenses ask your eyecare professional, visit transitions.com,
or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United
States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).
SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.
CO: Transitions Optical, Inc.; ICR
ST: Florida, New York
SU: SVY
06/20/2002 05:20 EDT
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