The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) is calling on the community to ‘slide’ on their shades as the country braces for seasonal high temperatures and conditions.
Sun protection measures are recommended when the Ultraviolet (UV) Index is three and above, but most of mainland Australia is currently experiencing seasonal indexes within the ‘extreme’ range of 11-15.
ASO vice president, Associate Professor Dr Ashish Agar, said it comes as no surprise that Australia has some of the highest UV ratings in the world.
“It’s an Australian childhood rite of passage to learn to ‘slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’, especially when the call of summer arrives,” Dr Agar said.
“A very important part of the message often gets overlooked, and that concerns our eye health.”
As an eye surgeon, Dr Bill Glasson sees and treats patients whose repeated or excessive sun exposure has led to serious conditions such as pinguecula and pterygium, and cataracts, among others.
Although less common, he said Australians should be wary of not only developing melanoma on their skin this summer, but the risks associated with ocular melanoma – the most common form of eye cancer.
“Each year 125-150 people will be diagnosed with ocular melanoma around the country,” Dr Glasson said.
This was the case when then 37-year-old mother of two, Susan Vine, booked in to see an optometrist for an assessment for glasses after experiencing frequent headaches.
Ms Vine was immediately referred to Dr Glasson, who has a special interest and expertise in ocular oncology.
Within two weeks of an initial eye test, she had been diagnosed with a form of ocular melanoma and had undergone enucleation surgery – the complete removal of her affected eye.
Seventeen years on from her diagnosis, Ms Vine has become an advocate for others by establishing an online support group for Australian and New Zealand patients, family, and carers – OcuMel Australia and New Zealand.
The ASO said risk factors to be aware of included having pale or fair complexion, light eye colour, and family history of melanoma.
Dr Agar said the best method of eye health protection was to ensure you and the ones you love ‘slide’ on UV-blocking eyewear this summer and ‘slap’ on broad-brimmed headwear.
