Pittwater Life January 2018 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
The truth on
children, UV
and Blue-
Violet light
Because of
their lifestyle,
children are more
exposed than
adults to light,
yet their eyes
are not yet fully
developed so they
are less protected
from the harmful
effects of UV and
Blue-Violet light.
Consider this:
n Children tend to spend a lot
of time outdoors: on average
their annual UV exposure is
3 times higher than that for
adults;
n Children’s pupils are larger,
meaning they let in more UV
and Blue-Violet light; and
n Their crystalline lens is more
transparent, meaning it is less
efficient at filtering out UV.
Why does this matter?
Up to 80% of all UV exposure
occurs before the age of 18 and
70% of children do not wear
sunglasses.
with Rowena Beckenham
Screens tablets
and smartphones
which use LEDs
emit Blue-Violet
light – and the
sun is a major
source of Blue-
Violet light too.
We now know
that 46% of 5- to
8-year olds use
a computer at
least once a week, and children
spend an average time of three
hours each day watching TV
or playing on a tablet or smart
phone.
The long-term implications
for UV damage around the eyes
include cataracts, pterygiums,
skin cancers around the eyes
and macula degeneration so
early protection is vital for long
term eye health.
Talk your local Optometrist
for advice on looking after your
kid’s eyes. And remember:
children’s eye examinations are
covered by Medicare.
Comment supplied by Rowena Beckenham, of
Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon (9918 0616). Rowena
has been involved in all facets of independent private
practice optometry in Avalon for 16 years, in addition
to working as a consultant to the optometric and
pharmaceutical industry, and regularly volunteering in
Aboriginal eyecare programs in regional NSW.
50 JANUARY 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991