Survey Finds the Eye Health of Americans at Great Risk

To an almost alarming level, a recent survey(1) finds that individuals remain largely unaware of the dangers that extended exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can have on their eyes. The survey, conducted by the New England Eye Institute and Transitions Optical, found that while nearly 80 percent of consumers are aware that UV exposure can cause skin cancer, only five percent know it can harm the eyes.

Every single day - whether sunny or cloudy, and despite the time of the year - eyes are exposed to UV radiation from the sun. The survey found that more than half (57 percent) of respondents said they do not wear protective eyewear when in the sun for extended periods of time. With Americans spending an average of 3.5 hours per day outdoors, this is a significant amount of time for UV damage to occur each day - amounting to a potential of more than 1,000 hours of UV damage to their eyes each year.

"The risk that we place on our precious sight by not protecting our eyes is alarming," says Barry Barresi, O.D, Ph.D., president, New England Eye Institute. "Unless Americans recognize the threat that UV poses and take action to protect the eyes - eye health issues, including cataracts, macular degeneration and cases of preventable blindness will continue to skyrocket." In fact, according to the World Health Organization, some 3.2 million people worldwide are blind as a result of cataracts, which have been linked to UV exposure(2).

Younger people, ages 18-24, are at an even greater risk for UV damage that will impact their vision later on in life as they are more active and tend to spend more time outdoors.

A proactive step every individual can take immediately to combat harmful UV rays is to wear photochromic lenses, which are prescription eyeglass lenses that automatically darken when exposed to UV light. Transitions(R) lenses are the #1 brand of photochromic lenses recommended by eyecare professionals worldwide. Blocking 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and reducing painful, discomforting glare, Transitions lenses are the single most convenient way to protect the eyes from UV radiation and glare all day, every day.

Key Results from the Omnibus Survey:

• Ninety-five percent of respondents are unaware that UV exposure can cause eye damage.
• Fifty-seven percent of respondents say they do not wear protective eyewear when in the sun for extended periods of time. And with Americans spending an average of 3.5 hours per day outdoors - this amounts to more than 1,000 hours of UV damage to their eyes each year.
• Forty-four percent do not have daily eyewear with UV protection, so nearly half of the population is placing itself at risk for UV damage to the eyes.
• Nearly half of young adult respondents (age 18-24) say they do not agree that UV protection is important at all.

Transitions Optical conducted this recent survey (this year, it has been conducted in conjunction with the New England Eye Institute) for the second consecutive year to further uncover what consumers know about the damage UV can cause and what steps they take to protect themselves. These findings will be used to shape and help support Transitions' consumer outreach campaign, which will continue to focus on educating the public about the need for UV and glare protection.