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With Great Britain in the grips ( finally! ) of a true summer, temperatures have been hitting high seventies and with it should come a reminder about sun damage and how to stay sun smart.
We all reach for the sun factor to protect our skin from sun and UV damage but it's also paramount to provide protection for our eyes and not flow with the fashion brigade when it comes to donning a pair of shades.
You are at risk of cataracts and also a condition called pterygia which develops growths on the eye surface from long term exposure to sunlight.
The immediate risk is that eyes can burn without protective eye wear and even one day in sunny climes can be enough to cause a painful burn to the surface of the eye, albeit temporary.
If you happen to be spending time near water or snow the dangers from reflected sunlight increases. The retina can be permanently scarred from direct exposure to bright rays.
For those that tan on a sun bed, the FALSE sun is just as harmful. Additional harm from skin cancer should make this past time a strict no-no.
Skin cancer is not restricted to the rest of your body either it can still affect the eyelids and the delicate area around your eyes. The risk is high over prolonged exposure to sunlight, those that live abroad or work outside are in the higher percentage of those at risk.
Hats and sunscreen are de-rigeur but don't forget your sun shades. Always check though that the lens of choice is British Standard marked ( BS EN 1836:1997 ) and CE Marked.
A UV Index of at least 400 is preferable and look for shades that offer a statement of 100% Ultra Violet Protection.