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PEOPLE’S EYES ARE BEING
SUBJECTED TO DAMAGING FACTORS

People’s eyes are being subjected to damaging factors from common surroundings and lifestyle choices daily – yet the lack of awareness of the causes, means that people are not taking action to protect their eyes.

Scientific studies have linked exposure to blue light and reflected UV light, along with smoking, obesity, and poor diet to decreased eye health including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. [1]

Many people are unaware of blue light which is emitted from devices, screens, and low energy bulbs – whilst large numbers think of Ultra-Violet light as only a danger when looking directly at the sun, not realizing that there reflections off water, windows, and roads.

Essilor has conducted a poll through YouGov to find out just how low awareness of these dangers is. Of the 2,096 people polled:

  • 29% that blue light was also damaging.
  • 76% had not heard of E-SPF* ratings and how they protect eyes from UV.
  • 72% of people were unaware that blue and UV light blocking lenses were an option for either.
  • 36% knew that smoking tobacco harmed your eyes
  • 35% knew the same about obesity
  • One in ten people were completely unaware that any of these factors could affect your eyesight at all.

Here are the full
results of the poll

Before taking this survey, which, if any, of the following causes were you aware of that can damage people’s eyes?  (Please select all that apply)

Here are the full
results of the poll

Before taking this survey, which, if any, of the following causes were you aware of that can damage people’s eyes?  (Please select all that apply)

The lenses for glasses can be enhanced during manufacture to reduce the risks of blue light and ultra violet Light. These lenses can be worn in prescription and non-prescription glasses (i.e. with or without visual correction).
Before taking this survey, were you aware that there were lenses available for prescription and non-prescription glasses to reduce the risk of blue light and/or ultra violet light?

The lenses for glasses can be enhanced during manufacture to reduce the risks of blue light and ultra violet Light. These lenses can be worn in prescription and non-prescription glasses (i.e. with or without visual correction).
Before taking this survey, were you aware that there were lenses available for prescription and non-prescription glasses to reduce the risk of blue light and/or ultra violet light?

Which ONE of the following best describe your awareness of lens E-SPF* Ratings and how they protect you against Ultra Violet rays?
 

Which ONE of the following best describe your awareness of lens E-SPF* Ratings and how they protect you against Ultra Violet rays?
 

For the following question, if you don’t own or wear prescription glasses, please select the ‘Not applicable’ option. Which, if any, of the following lens features do you have in your prescription glasses (not including sunglasses)?
 

For the following question, if you don’t own or wear prescription glasses, please select the ‘Not applicable’ option. Which, if any, of the following lens features do you have in your prescription glasses (not including sunglasses)?
 

The poll shows that a startling number of people in Britain are unaware as to how their eyes could be being damaged. There are a number of factors that could affect your vision which people face every day, yet over a tenth of the poll’s respondents were unaware of any of them.

Lifestyle choices such as smoking, a poor diet, and obesity as well as external influences like blue and UV light have all been scientifically linked to a number of eye-related conditions. However, the widespread unawareness means that few people are seeking preventive action against these factors.

For more information on the available protection from blue and UV light, visit the Essilor Blue and UV Light Protection page.

Sources:

[1] Blue light is emitted from digital device screens and low energy light bulbs, so consequently people are exposed to it all the time. This light causes a chemical reaction that leads to cell deterioration in the eye – scientists believe this is a major contributing factor to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1022419606629

[2]It is well known that Ultra-Violet (UV) light is harmful to humans when hit directly. However, UV light can also be dangerous to your eyes when it is reflected off surfaces such as roads, windows and water. Prolonged exposure to reflected UV light has been linked to the premature formation of cataracts, which can blur your vision. http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM198812013192201

[3]A poor and unbalanced diet can result in your eyes not getting the right nutrients they need to stay healthy. Diets lacking leafy green vegetables, vitamins C and E, and zinc can lead to a higher risk of AMD, as well as a high intake of beta-carotene and saturated fats. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642007004745 http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=382145

[4]Obesity increases blood pressure, which can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, causing poor vision quality. Obesity is also associated with poor nutrition, which as discussed above can also cause harm to your eyes. http://nutritionreviews.oxfordjournals.org/content/63/1/9

[5]Smoking causes the build-up of heavy metals in the eye, as well as restricting blood flow and increases the effect of oxidation on cells in the eyes, which can all damage your eyes and cause AMD http://bjo.bmj.com/content/81/10/901.full

*E-SPF® is a global index rating the overall UV protection of a lens. ESPF® was developed by Essilor International and endorsed by 3rd party experts. Lens performance only. The E-SPF® index excludes direct eye exposure that depends on external factors (wearer’s morphology, frame shape, position of wear).