National Sunglasses Day is coming up on Monday, June 27th, and it’s a great time to make sure you and your staff are in sync when it comes to talking to patients about protecting their eyes from the harmful rays of the sun not just during the summer, but all year long.
According to The Vision Council's 2016 UV Protection Report, only 31 percent of the more than 10,000 adult Americans surveyed protect their eyes with sunglasses every time they go outside, and 34 percent have experienced symptoms of too much UV exposure, such as eye irritation and even trouble seeing. That means there’s probably quite a few patients who come into your practice each year who are not properly protecting their eyes from the sun.
And it's also important to educate adult patients that their children's eyes should be protected as well. The Vision Council's report found parents are 56 percent more likely than their children (29 percent) to wear sunglasses.
Talk About It
As an ECP, how can you make sure you and your staff are on the same page when it comes to talking to patients about the importance of sun eye protection and offering them what they need?
Here’s a few talking and selling points from Dr. Fraser Horn, associate dean of academic programs at Pacific University College of Optometry and immediate past chair of the Sports Vision Section of the American Optometric Association (AOA).
- Cover Your A's & B's: Dr. Horn says one of the first things to assure is that a patient’s sunglasses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. “This is to reduce the risk for photokeratitis — equivalent to a sunburn of the front of the eye (cornea) and eyelids,” he explained. Dr. Horn says ultraviolet light has also been linked to diseases such as, but not limited to, cataracts, possibly macular degeneration, and reduces the risk of melanoma on the eyelids. How to best stress the importance of sunglasses to patients? “Sunglasses are a fashion statement that work to reduce the risk of eye diseases related to ultraviolet light,” he said.
- Make It a Wrap: Dr. Horn says he prefers a sunglass style that wraps around the contours of the face, which helps prevent sunlight from getting into the eyes. “Again, this is to reduce the risk of health issues as well as to reduce the distraction of light from your periphery,” he said.
- P is for Polarized: While polarized lenses are a wonderful option to decrease glare reflected from surfaces, especially water, Dr. Horn says they may not be for every patient. “Polarized lenses can interact with certain digital displays — such as certain dashboards, phones, etc. — so that way one is not able to see the information,” he explained.
- Get Tinted: A neutral grey and brown works well for almost everything, Dr. Horn said. However, if your patient participates in certain activities, there are tints that may help them see critical information and enjoy their activity. “One way to help someone is to offer an interchangeable lens so an individual can have a neutral grey lens, but then switch out an activity-specific lens when they participate in that activity,” he added.
- Feel Good: Ultimately, Dr. Horn says, patients — both children and adults — need to feel good about their sunglasses because if they like them, they will wear them. “Sunglasses combine a fashion with a protective function and possibly a benefit to visual performance with certain activities,” he said.
The Latest Sunnies
With sunny days here to stay for a while, now is also a potential opportunity to increase sunglass sales in your practice. Here’s a look at some of the latest sunwear collections to get an idea on recent trends and some new options for your optical.
Immagine 98
The new sun models from UX Share Your Eyewear by X-IDE — manufactured by Immagine 98 — are all about a sophisticated, trendy expression of traditional Italian style. The new styles use a combination of metal and acetate, plus tapered shapes and bold color combinations, to express the constant mobility of young people and the world.
Immagine 98 also recently launched the new X-IDE 1-2-3 folding sunglasses (pictured left). Comfortable and lightweight, these sunglasses are easy to carry in a pocket or bag, making them perfect at the beach or around the city.
MYKITA
New sunglass launches from MYKITA include the new Atka model for MYKITA for HIGHSNOBIETY, which unites two contrasting materials — warm, vivid acetate and sleek stainless steel — for a perfectly balanced and supremely light frame, and new shapes and textures available through the 2016 MYKITA + Maison Margiela campaign (pictured right). Each of these frames features a rounded shape with a mineral vein pattern of natural stone that has been etched and lacquered by hand onto a stainless steel frame. And the new Siru model for MYKITA/Damir Doma, featuring a unisex round aviator shape with a double bridge, will be available this autumn.
Traps Eyewear
Formed in 2014, Traps Eyewear features sunglasses handcrafted in Maine from handmade acetate and repurposed oak from salvaged Maine lobster traps. Their eyewear is a direct interpretation of the classically stylish New England coastal aesthetic, with two reinterpretations of classic eyewear frames. The Ulysses (pictured left) draws inspiration from iconic sunglasses incorporating key features such as a keyhole nose bridge and oversized lenses, while the Jack has been inspired by the effortless, yet sophisticated style of New England’s own JFK delivering frames perfect for a day on the ocean or managing the free world.
Wiley X
Wiley X®, Inc. recently added the new Rx-ready WX Hudson to its Active Lifestyle Series. The WX Hudson Model ACHUD03 (pictured right) pairs an attractive gloss black frame with versatile smoke grey lenses, while the WX Hudson ACHUD05 model is outfitted with a matte black frame and polarized green, with platinum flash mirrored lenses. Both frames offer wearers 100 percent protection against UVA/UVB rays and also meet certain ANSI and OSHA standards. The WX Hudson is Rx-ready using Wiley X's DIGIFORCE™ digital Rx lens technology.
WooDone
South Tyrolean wooden eyewear brand WooDone recently launched a new Sun Collection (pictured left) with a markedly vintage and stylish edge. The women's frame Bella stands out for its soft feminine lines, while the unisex Samoht frame has a rectangular style and Sualk model is a remake of the double bridge. WooDone eyewear is made from a single piece of wood whose origin is certified by the Alto Adige Region and come in Acacia, Cherry, Walnut and Ash. They are crafted by hand and finished with a special lacquer finish that makes them durable, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic.
For more information on National Sunglasses Day, visit NationalSunglassesDay.com.