| Sun-smart News and Views |
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Sunnies For Kids
From Little Treasures magazine, October/November 2009
Is it necessary for children to wear sunglasses?
For optometrist and father of two preschoolers, Lynden Mason, it's a no-brainer.
"New Zealand has very high levels of ultraviolet light all year round. We all know the importance of protecting our skin from damaging UV, but protecting children's eyes is just as important. UV damage can lead to sight-threatening conditions; the earlier we protect against UV, the more likely we are to prevent these conditions."
Mason agrees with other eye experts when it comes to the most important features of children's sunglasses.
"Children's sunglasses must have lenses that provide 100 per cent UV protection and they must be a very good fit for the child's face, wrapping around to minimise the amount of light getting into the eyes."
Children's sunglasses should meet the Australian and New Zealand standard for sunglasses (S/NZS1067:2003); this information should be on the sunglasses' packaging.
All Banz sunglasses meet the trans-Tasman standard and are styled to meet the recommendations outlined above.
Burning Message on Sun Safety at Summer Events
Auckland Courier Community newspapers, February 25, 2009.
With summer in full swing, organisers are being encouraged to ensure people attending events are protected from the sun.
SunSmart programme manager Wayne Beckman says exposure to the sun can be significantly reduced by following a few simple steps.
"As much as possible, schedule key events away from 11am to 4pm, because this is when ultraviolet radiation is at its peak. Look at sites in advance and ensure the best SunSmart options are taken and utilise existing shade.
"Organise shade structures for your event - marquees, tents and umbrellas - and encourage people to bring their own shade."
He says Auckland is renowned for its summer events and this year is no different.
Events include Auckland Cup Week, the Wine and Food Festival, the Pasifika Festival, Cross Street Carnival, Auckland Fringe Festival, the 2009 Bush Party and the Misson Bay Jazz and Blues Streetfest.
"Not to mention family favourites like the Teddy Bears' Picnic and all the Bike Wise events," Mr Beckman says.
"We are encouraging organisers to include sun protection in their planning so that Aucklanders can get out there and enjoy summer events in full, without going home with painful sunburn."
He says role modelling is important, and officials should be encouraged to Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap.
This includes wearing hats with wide brims or bucket-style hats, sun-protective clothing such as shirts with collars and long sleeves, and to apply and bring SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen.
"And, if you can, arrange a supply of sunscreen for officials and participants who might not bring their own.
"Summer is all about getting out and having fun. The perfect day is one where you have fun without getting sunburnt," Mr Beckman says.
Vettori Behind Eye Protection
Courier community newspapers, 30 January, 2009.
Black caps captain Daniel Vettori is focusing on the importance of children's eyesight.
Vettori is the face of Visique Optometrists' Back to School promotion, which offers a free pair of sunglasses to all new five-year-old entrants.
The promotion aims to encourage children to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the long-term, damaging effects of UV radiation exposure.
Optometrist Ian Finch says UV radiation is just as dangerous to eyesight as it is to the skin, particularly in New Zealand where there are high levels of UV radiation.
Risks include cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading causes of blindness in later life, Mr Finch says.
"Children's eyes can be more susceptible to damage as generally their pupils are larger and their lenses are clearer, which allows more UV light through," he says.
Wearing sunglasses, in conjunction with a hat, will reduce radiation exposure to the eye to virtually zero, he says.
"However, sunglasses should have dark lenses and wrap around to block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB," he says.
"Eighty percent of a child's learning comes through their eyesight. Almost every memory is linked to a visualisation. Unless you have proper visual function, your learning is going to be compromised," he says.
Australian Cancer Council issues vitamin D guidelines
The Australian Cancer Council has issued new guidelines advising how much sunlight people need to avoid vitamin D deficiency without increasing their risk of skin cancer.
New data shows many people are deliberately seeking sun exposure without protection because they are worried about vitamin D.
The Cancer Council says fair-skinned people can maintain adequate vitamin D levels in summer from a few minutes of exposure to sunlight on their hands, arms and face on either side of the peak UV index periods.
In winter, when UV radiation levels are less intense, people need about two or three hours of sunlight to the hands, arms or face over a week.
Those most at risk of a vitamin D deficiency are naturally dark-skinned people, who need more UV exposure.
People who cover their skin for cultural reasons and those who are housebound or in institutional care also face a high risk of deficiency.
Protection for kids
Consumer magazine summer 2007 - Baby Banz products tick every one of these boxes!
Sunglasses
Too much sun can damage your eyes. The effects are believed to build up over time, so your eyes need protecting from an early age. That means children - like adults - should wear sunglasses in bright sunlight.
Look for sunglasses that are labelled with UV protection. Fit is also important. Wrap-around styles and those with more oval-shaped lenses will minimise the amount of stray light getting around the edges.
Beware of toy sunglasses. Some don't offer any UV protection and, because they are marketed as toys, they don't have to. Wearing toy sunglasses might do more harm than wearing no sunglasses at all - the dark lenses reduce visible light and cause the pupils to dilate, letting in more harmful UV rays.
UPF
It's not hard to find reasonably-priced UPF-rated t-shirts and tops for children, which should be suitable for most outdoor activities.
Children are most at risk of sunburn when they're at the beach. Sunscreen won't last a full day and swimming will reduce the protection it provides. The best protection is cover-up clothing. Rash tops look cool and save you all the sunscreen you'd need to cover their backs, chests and shoulders. UV protection is reduced if the rash suit gets wet, so look for one with a UPF of 40 or more.
About UPF
A UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) number is similar to the SPF (sun protection factor) number used to rate sunscreens. SPF is tested on volunteers while testing UPF involves exposing a fabric to UV radiation and using a spectrophotometer to measure the amount of UV that passes through. The label should state that the fabric complies with the standard AS/NZS4399:1996 and warn that protection is reduced if the fabric is stretched or wet.
Our advice
The best way to avoid skin damage from UV radiation is to stay out of the sun as much as possible between 11am and 4pm. If you don't have that choice, and can't find clothing with a UPF rating, look for:
Weave Tightly woven fabrics are the best. Knit fabrics provide freedom of movement.
Fit The protection will be lower when they're stretched, so go for a close knit and a loose fit, especially across the shoulders.
Colour Darker colours provide more protection than fabrics of the same material in light colours.
Protect the rest of your body with lashings of sunscreen (broad spectrum, SPF 30+) and a wide-brimmed hat.
Sun-Safe Summer Style Outfit Essentials to Beat the Heat
Kiwi Parent Magazine (Parents Centre)
Summer's here and in New Zealand we traditionally spend as long as possible outdoors - it's all part of the great Kiwi summer experience. But we've all heard the publicity about the dangers of the sun and the hole in the ozone layer letting in more burning rays. What can we do to protect our kids from the consequences - an increased risk of skin and eye cancer and eye disease?
Although your kids may like to wear very little in the water when it's hot, it's not a good idea. Wee bikinis for girls and skimpy briefs for boys expose far too much delicate skin to the sun. The Cancer Society of New Zealand recommends swimming gear designed to block the sun's rays. Choose cover-all suits with a UV-protective factor of 50+ - this information should be on the label - which shield the shoulders, arms and over the thighs.
Exposing eyes to New Zealand's harsh sun from infancy may lead to cataracts, pterygiums (growths on the eye's surface), diseases of the retina such as macular degeneration (which is irreversible) and cancers of the eyelid and skin around the eye. Experts recommend children wear sunglasses which block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Choose sunnies designed to sit close to the face, as a wraparound style lets in much less sunlight from the sides than conventional, framed sunglasses.
"My daughter wouldn't keep her sunglasses on and we lost lots heaps of pairs last summer," says Susan East, mother of Kayla (three). "But now we've bought her wraparound glasses on a headband, the furthest they go is round her neck, so we just pop them back on. Because we've been persistent she's much happier to wear them."
For several years many daycare centres and schools have been enforcing no hat, no play policies - with good reason. Wearing a sunhat provides portable shade, protecting the head, ears, face and the nape of the neck from the sun. Choose a wide-brimmed sunhat, made from a densely woven fabric natural materials, such as cotton, are ideal.
So, unless you can persuade your kids to stay out of the sun entirely, provide protection with sensible swimwear, children's sunglasses and suitable headgear. The more children who wear sun-safe outfits, the more fashionable they'll be. So be a trendsetter this summer and keep your kids playing safely in the sun.
Children's eye health is important, so spread the word!
NIWA predicts high UV intensities this summer
NIWA Science New Zealand
The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is predicting that peak ultraviolet index (UVI) this summer will be significantly higher than any of the last six years, and will be close to the alltime maximum observed in the summer of 1998/1999.
NIWA analysis shows it has been a record low ozone spring overall in the south. Springtime ozone amounts in middle (3060 S) and high (6090 S) latitudes of the southern hemisphere have been lower this year than in any other year since satellite observations began in 1979.
The World Meteorological Organization also reports that the Antarctic ozone hole reached nearrecord proportions this year.
NIWA scientist Dr Richard McKenzie says the predicted peak UVI varies from place to place. Where Im based at Lauder in Central Otago, we expect that the peak UVI will be close to 12 averaged over the five highest UV days in each summer month (December, January, and February). This is about five percent greater than the corresponding mean over the last few years, and is about 10 percent higher than when measurements began in the early 1990s. As usual, UVI values are expected to be higher in the north than in the south of the country. This is because ozone levels are lower and the sun reaches higher elevations in the north.
Dr McKenzie says NIWAs UVI prediction is based on past statistical correlations between springtime ozone and peak UV radiation measured at Lauder in the following summer.
The low ozone expected over New Zealand is a consequence of the relatively high concentrations of ozone-depleting chemicals still present in the atmosphere, especially over Antarctica, in combination with a minimum in solar activity associated with the solar cycle and possible unusual transport of ozone in the stratosphere this year. We expect that over the decades ahead there will be a slow recovery in ozone.
The most important variable factor affecting UVI is cloud cover, so the ultimate effect of the low ozone will be strongly influenced by the weather. NIWA provides UV forecasts to the general public via our website and to the media via the MetService.
Click here to view NIWA UV daily forecasts and reports of yesterday's UV
UV warnings
Sky News Australia
There are new warnings for children to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays this summer.
Professor Minas Coroneo from Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital says children as young as nine are suffering eye damage from exposure to Australia's harsh UV rays. While it won't directly affect their vision now, doctors and health critics say the worst is yet to come.
Professor Coroneo has developed a new test which uses a special UV camera that identifies any UV damage to the eyes. Experts say that damage can be prevented by the simple act of wearing sunglasses which they recommend.
(Even more evidence, if it's needed, that wearing sunglasses protects young eyes from serious eye damage!)
Is the danger real?
For several years now you'll have heard and seen reports in the media about the hole in the ozone layer. The stories are scary and yes, you're right to be concerned.
In a nutshell, less ozone means more harmful UV rays can reach the surface of the Earth, and it's those rays that can cause so much damage to delicate eyes. UV rays can literally burn the eyes and also cause pterygiums (pronounced te-rij-e-ums), which are abnormal growths on the eye's surface. Over-exposure to the sun in childhood may also contribute towards cataracts (a clouding of the eye's lens, requiring surgery) and macular degeneration, which is irreversible and is a leading cause of blindness. Cancer of the eyelids and skin surrounding the eyes has also been linked to life-long UV exposure.
How can we protect our children's precious eyes from the harsh effects of burning UV rays? Although sunglasses for children haven't traditionally been part of the sun-safe arsenal, views are changing. The Cancer Society of New Zealand has included the wearing of sunglasses in the well-received Slip, Slop, Slap campaign, which now reads "Slip, Slop, Slap and WRAP on a pair of sunglasses". BANZ stay-put sunglasses are the perfect way to protect children's eyes, in sizes to fit newborns to five years!
Keep the Sun at Bay
Little Treasures magazine
Even if your child has perfect sight, it's wise to protect eyes from future damage with sunglasses. A lot of eye conditions in later life are from accumulated UV damage. Over the years the eye absorbs UV light which damages the structure of the eyes.
"Sunglasses are not just a gimmick," says Raewyn Hart (mother of two and an optometrist with a special interest in children's vision). "To prevent damage in later life, they are the best way to protect eyes from an early age."
You can never be too young to don some sunnies - even babies and toddlers are being encouraged to wear them.
(Sydney Morning Herald)
Australian eye experts say childcare centres and schools should be keeping children in the shade in the middle of the day and teaching them to wear sunglasses as well as hats and sunscreen.
The only problem is, a Newspoll survey released on Tuesday suggests an alarming number of Australian adults are unaware of the cumulative risks of sun exposure to the eyes.
The survey of 1,200 people, commissioned by the Optometrists Association Australia, found 98 per cent of respondents mentioned sunburn and skin cancer as conditions related to UV exposure when prompted, but only 56 per cent mentioned cataracts.
Queensland optometrist Shannon Pugh, based at Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, said parents should be protecting their children's eyes from an early age.
"My son started wearing sunglasses when he was about three months old," she said.
"We put them on and off a million times a day. Certainly, when we're out walking in the pram he always has his sunglasses on.
"You can buy children's sunglasses that fit little faces. I would suggest any child should be wearing sunglasses.
"A lot of the damage we're seeing in adults now is done from when they were children spending a lot of time either on farms or at beaches."
Eye Research Australia managing director Hugh Taylor said studies had proved conclusively that UV radiation exposure increased the development of cataracts, pterygiums and cancers on the surface of the eye.
"Cigarette smoking and UV are ... the only risk factors we know that you can change that affect the risk of developing cataracts," Professor Taylor said.
"People should not have unnecessary exposure of their eyes to UV.
"I'm at the Australian Open tennis at the moment. Nearly everybody's got a hat on and maybe half the people have got sunglasses on so at least the message is starting to get out."
Brisbane-based optometrist and father of two, Simon Hurwood, said the earlier children wore sunglasses, the better.
"My children go to childcare. They have to wear hats outside and sunscreen and I think sunglasses should be part of that," said the father of Georgia, almost three, and Thomas, one.
"There's no reason they shouldn't be wearing them. There's no harm that will come to them from wearing them. It's all good for their long-term sight."
Playing Safely in the Sun - Super Sunhats and Sensational Swimwear!
The team at Baby Banz are proud to stock fabulous sun-smart products to protect your child! Your child will be too cool for school in Baby Banz or Kidz Banz sunglasses and a matching sunhat. Sunhats are available in Blue, Pink, Camouflage, Green Floral, Pink Floral, Red, Green, Purple and Orange.
These sunhats differ from the ones you'll see elsewhere - we think they're so much better! Both sizes feature a wide brim - totally essential for shielding delicate necks and noses. Also, each hat is adjustable, so you're able to customise the fit to your child's own head - the sunhat will grow along with your child!
And for busy year-round swimmers we also stock rash tops and shorts that really cover up! In pink and blue, our swimwear features a fabric that blocks an incredible 98 per cent-plus of harmful UV rays! These separates also look fantastic worn as leisurewear and are available in sizes to fit children from birth to eight years.
The team at Baby Banz NZ are proud to be able to supply 100% UV safe Baby Banz and Kidz Banz Sunglasses to New Zealand parents. These comply with tough Australian standards and really protect your kids from our harsh sun.
Don't forget to to think about including infant swimwear and kid's swimwear and our infant sunhats and kid's sunhats complete the protection picture.
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