THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARISING FROM SOLAR

KEEP YOUR EYE ON OZONE
The depletion of the ozone seems certain to have a significant impact particularly during summer.

Less ozone in the atmosphere means more ultraviolet light reaches the earth. Scientists agree that the
depletion of the ozone will result in more people suffering eye damage at an earlier age from exposure
to high levels of UV light, and an increased risk of developing cataracts that may lead to blindness.
To protect your eyes good quality lenses are essential. As well as traditional sunglasses, some eye
experts suggest wrap-around glasses which guard against reflected light that hits the eye sideways,
eg Dirty Dog. As the diagram indicates this would assist greatly in situations such as fishing or skiing.
With quality standard fitting sunglasses it is unlikely peripheral UV would do damage within the human
lifespan.

Other precautions are simply common sense- wear a hat when out in the sun for any length of time and
avoid exposure in the two hours either side of midday.

LONG TERM

SHORT TERM

1. CATARACTS

Believed to be caused by exposure to UV light over time
Serious eye disease clouding the lens of the eye
Can cause partial or total blindness. Thousands of people undergo surgery per year
Many millions of people world-wide suffer from Cataract problems

2. PTERYGIUM