REMEMBER: KIDS NEED SUMMERTIME EYE PROTECTION, TOO

The Association recently donated 1,000 pairs of glasses to the Lions Club in support of the Club's ongoing commitment to sight conservations, and comes at a time when the Club has embarked on a national awareness campaign to protect kids' eyes. According to the Lions Club, children whose unprotected eyes are exposed repeatedly to sunlight are more susceptible to serious damage.

“With kids spending more time outdoors, now is the time to ensure kids’ eyes are protected from dangerous UV exposure by providing sunglasses for them to wear,” says Dr. Nathalie Azar, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sunglass Association of America president, Tibor Gross, agrees. “Parents should remember the sunglasses at the pool, beach, when camping — every time they apply sunblock to their children,” he says.
Eye doctors warn that even low levels of sunlight on a cloudy day could affect a child’s eyes, according to the Lions Club.

Among the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s tips for parents to help protect their children’s eyes are:
• Let you kids pick out their own sunglasses (check for UVA and UVB protection) – glasses they like are more likely to be worn
• Remember to provide wide-brimmed hats or sports caps to increase your child’s eye protection
• Wear your sunglasses and hat when outside, to set a positive example for your kids
• Wear sunglasses and hats on overcast days too
• Teach your children to NEVER look directly into – or stare at – the sun
• Limit exposure to the sun during peak periods of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Infants under six months should not be directly exposed to the sun

“In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become ‘knights of the blind, in the crusade against darkness,’” the Sunglass Association’s Tibor Gross said. “Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the visually impaired and we are proud to join them in this worthy endeavor.”
The Sunglass Association of America (SAA) is the leading source of information and market statistics for the sunglass and reading glass industry. The non-profit SAA has represented all facets of the industry since 1975.
The Association simultaneously promotes both the function and fashion benefits of sunglasses and reading glasses. In addition to marketplace information, training and tracking of industry trends, the SAA provides guidance to members on regulatory and standards compliance and is a leading industry advocate for responsible regulations and industry standards.

(Editor’s Note: To arrange a phone interview with the SAA’s Tibor Gross or Melanie Martin, contact Martin Kleinman at 718/398-4009 or Swea Nightengale at 863/612-0085.)