Vision Council and PBA Support ‘Don’t Fry Day’ For UV Awareness

May is  Ultraviolet Awareness Month, and The Vision Council and Prevent Blindness America (PBA) are joining forces to encourage Americans to protect their eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In addition, Vision Monday reports that the two groups are voicing their support for national “Don’t Fry Day.” The Friday before Memorial Day has been designated as Don’t Fry Day by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention in an effort to help reduce the rising rates of skin cancer nationally.

“The Vision Council and Prevent Blindness America want to make sure that people are aware of the need to protect their vision as well as their skin from overexposure to the sun,” said Ed Greene, CEO of The Vision Council. “Along with sunscreen, hats and other protective gear, we want people to remember to wear UV-blocking sunglasses whenever they’re outside.”

The Vision Council plans to release a new report “Hidden Dangers of UV: Keeping Your Eyes Safe” about the importance of protecting eyes and the skin that surrounds the eyes. PBA offers “The UV Learning Center,” a dedicated website at preventblindness.org/uv, that offers free information on the dangers of UV, how to purchase the best sunglasses for adults and children, and other useful information.

In March, PBA released a white paper with support from the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund. The paper, titled “UV and Our Nation’s Vision,” brings national attention to the need for public education on the damaging effects of UV radiation to eyesight.