Keep your eyes healthy

Take care in the sun

There's no reason why you shouldn't wear sunglasses all year round. Sun exposure, whatever the season, leads to a range of eye problems from photokeratitis (painful irritation of the front of the eye) to cataracts and AMD (age-related macular degeneration). Wraparound shades offer the best protection. They should carry the CE mark and British Standard BS EN 1836:1997, which ensures a safe level of UV protection.

If you wear prescription glasses, why not invest in Transitions lenses? They offer 100% UVA and UVB protection, changing from clear to dark when you're outdoors. They're available from most opticians and add around £60 to the cost. For more information, visit www.transitions.co.uk. It's important to buy good-quality shades for your children, too, as according to the World Health Organisation, we get up to 80% of our lifetime's UV exposure before the age of 18.