The eyes are just as vulnerable if not more vulnerable to UV rays as the skin, yet 85 percent of South African's don't think that damage to the eyes is one of the most harmful effects of extended exposure to the sun. This and other startling results were revealed in the recent Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund survey, conducted by research company Ipsos.

Transitions Optical conducted this research into important topics such as nutrition, UV exposure, eye fatigue and glare, with the aim of gleaning a greater understanding of South Africans' eye habits.

"We suspected the need to raise the awareness of healthy sight amongst the South African public. The research results confirm that there is indeed an alarming lack of knowledge and correct behaviour regarding eye health in the country," states Richard Pearson, Country Manager, Transitions Optical South Africa.

Young eyes

Well into their teenage years, kids' eyes are the most in danger of being damaged by harmful UV rays; the effects of which are usually only detected later on in life.

Forty-eight percent of respondents surveyed, whose children don't wear corrective glasses or contact lenses, said that their children have never had their eyes checked. A worrying figure as parents should be taking their children for an eye check at least once a year.

Early detection can help rectify or prevent eye conditions from worsening or causing permanent, irreversible damage. Protecting children's eyes today will minimise the risk of damage to their sight in future.

Maintaining healthy sight

As adults age the eyes are more susceptible to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD); a progressive eye disease which attacks the macula of the eye where sharpest vision occurs.

A healthy lifestyle, no smoking, a healthy diet and protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays are recommended preventative methods to minimise the risk of AMD.

It is also imperative that adults visit an optometrist at least once a year. In South Africa, 53 percent of respondents questioned wear corrective spectacles or contact lenses yet only 51 percent of the same group have their eyes tested at least once a year.

Diabetes and Glaucoma

Diabetes — globally one of the 21st century's most systemic diseases — and glaucoma can often have damaging and irreversible effects on the eyes.

An annual eye check can determine whether either disease is affecting the eyes.

Results show that South Africans (87 percent) know that diabetes is a threat to their sight but few might realise that 40 percent of diabetes patients are more likely to also suffer from glaucoma.

The longer someone has had diabetes, the more common glaucoma is and its risk increases with age.

Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in the eye. The pressure pinches the blood vessels that carry blood to the retina and optic nerve. Vision is gradually lost because the retina and nerve are damaged.

This year, Eye Care Awareness Week (6 to 10 October 2008) will focus on the ageing eye and vision impairment in the elderly on a global level.

Eye Contact

Most people would rate their sight as their most-valued sense, above hearing, touch, taste and smell. Yet ironically, misconceptions around eye health mean people appear to continually neglect their eyes.

The Healthy Sight Survey revealed that nine out of 10 South Africans consider the eyes to be the first part of the body they look at when meeting people. However, despite the aesthetic importance placed on the eyes and healthy sight looking after them seems low on priority lists. Forty-seven percent of all respondents questioned admitted to only having an eye check once every two years if not less often.

Nutrition and eye health

Not many people know that green leafy vegetables, eggs, garlic, onions, shallots, capers, soy, blueberries, grapes and a variety of nuts are all good for the eyes.

Results show that 86 percent of the population knows that healthy eating habits can have a positive effect on the eyes yet only two percent knows which vitamins they should be taking in to help maintain healthy sight. Fresh vegetables, fish and fruit contain vitamins A, B2, C and E which are hugely beneficial to the eyes.

Eye fatigue

In today's fast-moving, 'have-to-have-it-now' world, spending long hours behind the computer are often the norm.

Computer images are made up of thousands of tiny dots which make the eyes constantly focus and refocus. The result: dry, puffy and tired eyes.

Eighty-eight percent of South Africans who participated in the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund Survey think that working with a computer screen can strongly affect eyesight.

Eighty-two percent say that they experience the most eye fatigue when using a computer. Eye fatigue can be caused by not wearing the correct lenses or prescription. The good news though is that although eye fatigue causes discomfort it doesn’t lead to permanent damage to the eye.

Reflections and glare can also cause discomfort and eye fatigue as they place the eyes under unnecessary strain from squinting. Surfaces such as water, windows and concrete reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays. Respondents stated that they experienced the most discomfort from glare from the sun (80 percent) and from windows (74 percent).

Healthy sight in every light

The most effective way for prescription or sunglass wearers to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays on a daily basis would be to wear variable-tint lenses fitted into their frames.

Did You Know?

• Glare tends to affect individuals with lighter eye colours more than those with darker coloured eyes for the same reason that lighter skin is more susceptible to burning; there is less pigmentation.
• The average child receives three times more UV exposure than an adult annually.
• Throughout history, people have tried various ways to minimise the effects of bright light and glare. The Eskimos, while hunting and fishing, used whalebones with slits to reduce the glare off the ice.
• Variable tint lenses are gathering momentum as the must-have accessory for the fashion-conscious thanks to celebrity fans such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.