Eye Know Eye Care
New website makes child's play of teaching eye care awareness

On average, a child is exposed to three times more harmful UV rays than an adult, which can have serious, often irreversible consequences on the eyes. In addition, a recent Transitions Healthy Sight Survey¹ revealed that 48% of South African parents - whose children don't wear corrective glasses or contact lenses - have never had their children's eyes checked by an optometrist; a worrying figure. With these facts and figures top of mind, Transitions Optical has launched an interactive website entitled Eye Know Eye Care (www.eyeknoweyecare.co.za), which is dedicated to teaching children between the ages of seven and eleven about eye care and eye health.



According to Riette Botha, business manager for Transitions Optical South Africa (SA), the Eye Know Eye Care (EKEC) website communicates directly with children giving them a wealth of information about the human eye, eye care and living a healthy lifestyle in a manner that they can understand and through a medium they enjoy using.

The website consists of three interactive sections, namely 'Eye Spy', 'Eye Facts' and 'Eye Play'; each providing information ranging from the anatomy and facts about the human eye, an in-depth look at optometry through the ages, eye-related quizzes and puzzles, as well as tips and advice on how to best care for your eyes. Other features on the website include a dedicated 'Parents Corner' section that provides parents with information on the importance of having children's eyes checked regularly to protecting them from harmful UV rays. Other features include

"Acute UV exposure can cause photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis, and exposure to UVB rays can lead to cataract development later in life. Although UV rays are dangerous for eyes young and old, children are especially susceptible to UV damage due to a number of contributing factors," says Botha. "The crystalline lenses in children's eyes are not fully developed and cannot adequately filter UV radiation. Well into their teenage years, children's eyes are most in danger of being damaged by harmful UV rays; the effects of which are usually only detected later on in life. A website such as EKEC goes a long way in creating awareness around healthy sight and eye care amongst a younger audience."

Early detection can help rectify or prevent eye conditions from worsening or causing permanent, irreversible damage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children protect not only their skin but specifically recommends children wear sun-protective spectacles at all times.

Protecting children's eyes from UV rays today will minimise the risk of damage to their sight in future. "It's never too early to start looking after the well-being and health of your children's eyes," adds Botha.

Transitions lenses® with Advanced Performance, adaptive lenses, which are clear indoors and become sun lens dark when exposed to UV light, block 100% UV rays from reaching the eyes and reduce glare and reflection. Children love them because they seem to magically change from clear to sun lens dark right before your eyes.

Transitions lenses® with Advanced Performance can also be fitted to any designer children's frame making them a fashion must-have at any age.

For more information on eye health and eye care, log onto www.eyeknoweyecare.co.za or www.transitions.co.za.