NEWS RELEASES
Guide Dogs - Shades Day 2007
26th June 2007
THE CHAIRMAN and the Chief Executive of Horsham District Council will be promoting greater understanding of eye health issues on Friday 29 June when they put on their sunglasses to join in with The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s Shades Day.
They will join thousands of young people and adults all over the country, who will put on their shades and sun visors or sun hats to raise awareness of the need to protect their eyes when outside during the day.
It is very important for everyone, particularly children, to protect their eyes from the sun by wearing shades and/or a visor or hat.
Exposure to sunlight can lead to certain eye conditions such as cataracts or Age related Macular Degeneration developing.
Research has shown that spending five or more hours outside every day in the summertime during the teen and early adult years increases the risk of long term damage to people’s eyes.
Cllr Roger Paterson, Chairman of Horsham District Council, said:
“I am delighted to participate in Shades Day to help highlight the importance of wearing your sunglasses.”
Guide dog owner and Guide Dogs’ Director of Public Policy and Development, Tom Pey, said:
“Educating people in how to protect their sight is important and one simple way to keep eyes healthy is to wear your sunglasses.
“If you are outside and the light is so bright that you have to squint or turn your head away, then you know you have to put on your shades.
“Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to be effective.
“Experts recommend wraparound style sunglasses marked with Type 2 or 3 and with a CE symbol.
“To cut out the most damaging blue light, it’s best to choose shades with yellowish or amber lenses.”
Ends
Note to editors:
For further information on Shades Day and Guide Dogs, please call Vicky Bell or Chris Dyson in Guide Dogs’ Communications Department on 0118 983 8379 or 8281.
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk