Newsroom
10-21-2002, 05:16 PM
NEW SURVEY REVEALS CONSUMERS UNAWARE OF UV’S DANGERS TO THEIR EYES
Need for Eyecare Professionals to Educate Patients about Everyday UV Protection
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Oct. 21, 2002 – A recent national survey sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc. revealed that consumers are largely unaware of the sun’s dangers to their eyes. The study found that while 79 percent of respondents knew that extended exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, only 6 percent knew it can harm the eyes.
The survey was conducted as part of Transitions’ educational outreach to help ECPs understand what patients know about the UV’s danger to their eyes and options for UV protection.
“While today’s patients are savvy consumers, the research findings clearly suggest that eyecare professionals can fill a void in eye health awareness by educating their patients about UV and recommending eyewear with everyday year-round protection,” said Denis Fisk, director of global education, Transitions Optical. “Patients know that they need to protect their skin, now we need to broaden protection to the eyes as well.”
“The best defense against UV damage is eyewear with built-in UV protection,” concurs Susan Stenson, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. “People are in the habit of using moisturizers with UV protection, but they forget about equally important everyday protection for the eyes,” she said. “Fortunately, consumers have a range of options in the latest eyewear technology that offer UV protection.”
“Transitions Lenses are an ideal everyday option,” Fisk added. “They not only offer 100 percent UVa and UVb protection but also improve the quality of the overall visual experience through a combination of visual acuity and visual comfort.”
“Patient satisfaction with Transitions® Lenses is high, he noted. “A recent clinical study at NYU found that four out of five clear lens wearers preferred Transitions Lenses over regular, clear lenses when given the choice.”
Even When Aware of Sun’s Threat, Consumers Don’t Take Precautions
The consumer survey found that most people take few precautions against the harmful effects of the sun even when they plan to be outside for extended periods of time. Only 18 percent of those surveyed wear sunglasses.
“Lenses with built-in UV protection are an easy, everyday solution to give the eyes the same kind of protection people are already used to giving to their skin,” Fisk added.
http://www.optiboard.com/images/press/sunchart.gif
(Total does not add up to 100% as multiple answers were allowed)
Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, was the first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990. The company is the leading supplier of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology and the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.
Transitions Optical has manufacturing operations in Pinellas Park; Tuam, Ireland; Laguna, Philippines; Sumare, Brazil; and Adelaide, Australia. Sales offices are located in Toronto, Canada and nine other countries.
For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).
# # #
The random telephone survey of 1,002 adults was conducted from April 10-14, 2002. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent. The survey was conducted by ICR in Media, Pa.
Need for Eyecare Professionals to Educate Patients about Everyday UV Protection
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Oct. 21, 2002 – A recent national survey sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc. revealed that consumers are largely unaware of the sun’s dangers to their eyes. The study found that while 79 percent of respondents knew that extended exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, only 6 percent knew it can harm the eyes.
The survey was conducted as part of Transitions’ educational outreach to help ECPs understand what patients know about the UV’s danger to their eyes and options for UV protection.
“While today’s patients are savvy consumers, the research findings clearly suggest that eyecare professionals can fill a void in eye health awareness by educating their patients about UV and recommending eyewear with everyday year-round protection,” said Denis Fisk, director of global education, Transitions Optical. “Patients know that they need to protect their skin, now we need to broaden protection to the eyes as well.”
“The best defense against UV damage is eyewear with built-in UV protection,” concurs Susan Stenson, MD, clinical professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. “People are in the habit of using moisturizers with UV protection, but they forget about equally important everyday protection for the eyes,” she said. “Fortunately, consumers have a range of options in the latest eyewear technology that offer UV protection.”
“Transitions Lenses are an ideal everyday option,” Fisk added. “They not only offer 100 percent UVa and UVb protection but also improve the quality of the overall visual experience through a combination of visual acuity and visual comfort.”
“Patient satisfaction with Transitions® Lenses is high, he noted. “A recent clinical study at NYU found that four out of five clear lens wearers preferred Transitions Lenses over regular, clear lenses when given the choice.”
Even When Aware of Sun’s Threat, Consumers Don’t Take Precautions
The consumer survey found that most people take few precautions against the harmful effects of the sun even when they plan to be outside for extended periods of time. Only 18 percent of those surveyed wear sunglasses.
“Lenses with built-in UV protection are an easy, everyday solution to give the eyes the same kind of protection people are already used to giving to their skin,” Fisk added.
http://www.optiboard.com/images/press/sunchart.gif
(Total does not add up to 100% as multiple answers were allowed)
Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, was the first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990. The company is the leading supplier of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology and the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.
Transitions Optical has manufacturing operations in Pinellas Park; Tuam, Ireland; Laguna, Philippines; Sumare, Brazil; and Adelaide, Australia. Sales offices are located in Toronto, Canada and nine other countries.
For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).
# # #
The random telephone survey of 1,002 adults was conducted from April 10-14, 2002. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent. The survey was conducted by ICR in Media, Pa.