Newsroom
11-21-2002, 05:36 PM
PARENTS “EYE” IMMEDIATE VISION CONCERNS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, BUT LACK AWARENESS OF NEED TO PROTECT LONG-TERM EYE HEALTH
Survey Shows Importance of Educating Patients About UV Protection Options
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 21, 2002 – A recent consumer survey revealed that today’s parents rank vision problems as a top children’s health concern. While an overwhelming 87 percent of parents polled believe that they would recognize early warning symptoms of vision problems in their children, they might not be aware of behavior that could have a longer-term negative impact on the overall eye health of their child, according to the survey.
The study, sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc., found that 65 percent of parents whose children wear prescription eyewear either don’t believe they are providing their child with lenses that offer UV protection or don’t know if their child’s lenses have protection from the harmful effects of UV rays.
“This represents a tremendous opportunity for eyecare professionals to educate parents about the importance of making sure that they select everyday lenses for their children that offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection,” said Denis Fisk, global director of training for Transitions Optical, Inc. “It’s also a perfect reason to talk to parents about UV protection for the entire family – including themselves.
“Parents need to know that the effects of UV damage are cumulative and that everyday UV protection for their kids early in life plays a role in their long-term eye health,” Fisk added.
The survey found that 22 percent of parents were of most concerned about asthma and vision problems with regard to their children’s health.
“An equal number of parents cited asthma and vision problems as their most pressing health concern, more than those who named obesity and back strain, which had 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively,” Fisk said.
Parents Protect Kids’ Skin, But Not Their Eyes
When it comes to the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the majority of parents (nearly 80 percent) do protect their child’s skin with sunscreen and 63 percent report having their child wear a hat. But only 35 percent of parents whose children wear glasses say that their children’s lenses have UV protection.
“This indicates that most parents understand the damage UV rays can do to a child’s skin, but do not realize the potential danger repeated UV exposure poses to eye health,” said Fisk. “The best precautionary defense against UV damage to the eyes that eyecare professionals can offer for kids is eyewear with convenient, built-in everyday protection, like Transitions® Lenses. With 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and adjustment to changing light, children can see clearly and feel more comfortable in virtually any light condition.”
Indoors, Transitions Lenses are as clear as regular eyeglasses. Outdoors, they quickly darken according to the intensity of UV light, even getting as dark as sunglasses.
“By offering Transitions Lenses, eyecare professionals also can provide parents with peace of mind that their child is always protected from UV,” Fisk added. He noted that Transitions are available in impact-resistant materials for younger eyeglass wearers as well.
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. It was conducted from Sept. 21-22, 2002. The margin of error is plus or minus 5 percent. The survey was conducted by ICR in Media, Pa.
Survey Shows Importance of Educating Patients About UV Protection Options
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 21, 2002 – A recent consumer survey revealed that today’s parents rank vision problems as a top children’s health concern. While an overwhelming 87 percent of parents polled believe that they would recognize early warning symptoms of vision problems in their children, they might not be aware of behavior that could have a longer-term negative impact on the overall eye health of their child, according to the survey.
The study, sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc., found that 65 percent of parents whose children wear prescription eyewear either don’t believe they are providing their child with lenses that offer UV protection or don’t know if their child’s lenses have protection from the harmful effects of UV rays.
“This represents a tremendous opportunity for eyecare professionals to educate parents about the importance of making sure that they select everyday lenses for their children that offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection,” said Denis Fisk, global director of training for Transitions Optical, Inc. “It’s also a perfect reason to talk to parents about UV protection for the entire family – including themselves.
“Parents need to know that the effects of UV damage are cumulative and that everyday UV protection for their kids early in life plays a role in their long-term eye health,” Fisk added.
The survey found that 22 percent of parents were of most concerned about asthma and vision problems with regard to their children’s health.
“An equal number of parents cited asthma and vision problems as their most pressing health concern, more than those who named obesity and back strain, which had 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively,” Fisk said.
Parents Protect Kids’ Skin, But Not Their Eyes
When it comes to the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the majority of parents (nearly 80 percent) do protect their child’s skin with sunscreen and 63 percent report having their child wear a hat. But only 35 percent of parents whose children wear glasses say that their children’s lenses have UV protection.
“This indicates that most parents understand the damage UV rays can do to a child’s skin, but do not realize the potential danger repeated UV exposure poses to eye health,” said Fisk. “The best precautionary defense against UV damage to the eyes that eyecare professionals can offer for kids is eyewear with convenient, built-in everyday protection, like Transitions® Lenses. With 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and adjustment to changing light, children can see clearly and feel more comfortable in virtually any light condition.”
Indoors, Transitions Lenses are as clear as regular eyeglasses. Outdoors, they quickly darken according to the intensity of UV light, even getting as dark as sunglasses.
“By offering Transitions Lenses, eyecare professionals also can provide parents with peace of mind that their child is always protected from UV,” Fisk added. He noted that Transitions are available in impact-resistant materials for younger eyeglass wearers as well.
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. It was conducted from Sept. 21-22, 2002. The margin of error is plus or minus 5 percent. The survey was conducted by ICR in Media, Pa.