[tri-med] Re: Lutein & light sensitivity

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Holly McCormick"
>>  He has brown eyes (supposedly
> not as sensitive.)  Do I still need to try to keep sunglasses on him?
Mike
> never wears sunglasses, no matter how bright the light and I am extremely
> photophobic.

Here in the Land Down Under its drummed into us from birth to "slip, slop,
slap and wrap" - which means - slip on a shirt, slop on a sunscreen, slap on
a hat and wrap on some sunglasses. We have had 21 years of that wonderful
slogan and its sinking in.

From the time kids can walk they know not to leave the house without a hat
and even pre-schools enforce the "no hat no play" rule.

Having known two adults who suffered from eye cancer plus the fact that Alex
suffered extreme pain from the sun without sunglasses I guess I am very
aware these days. Its too late to do anything as an adult once the problems
have started. Alex never balked at sunglasses really - in fact when we got
the transitional lenses so that he didn't have to keep taking sunglasses on
and off (I lost too many) he cheered and just automatically puts them on
when we leave the house in the morning and he leaves them on until night
time. No coersion necessary.

From the Austraian Cancer Council
>>As well as sunburn, exposure to UV can also cause eye damage, such as
headache-type pain, blindness and cataracts. Children of all ages are
therefore encouraged to wear sunglasses. There is a wide range of effective
and inexpensive sunglasses available.

All sunglasses in Australia must meet a strict consumer Standard (AS 1067)
that stipulates lenses must block out 95% of UV. Sunglasses that block out
100% of UV rays are ideal. Check the swing tag on sunglasses before
purchasing.

When combined with a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses can reduce the amount of
UV reaching the eyes by 98%.

The style of sunglasses should also be considered; wrap-around, close
fitting styles prevent more UV from reaching the eyes. Children may also
wish to use sunglass straps to prevent sunglasses from falling off or
getting lost >>

Besides not wearing sunglasses causes wrinkles (thats why I have so many
:-))))))) and yes you wont get as brown if you wear sunglasses (sun hitting
the retina activates melanin in the skin to turn you brown) - but I have
always been the white skinned creature and I guess the only way I will get a
tan in my old age is from a bottle :-)) I am like you Holly very photophobic
(I have hazel eyes) and have always retreated indoors in the summer months.

We can not change the wind. But we can change the sails.
~Ghandi~

Keep Looking For Rainbows!!
Karen, Mum to Alex (8 years, T-18 Mosaic)
http://members.optushome.com.au/karens



                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
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