Dispensers have a responsibility to protect the ocular health of patients. One of the first steps in the process is safeguarding them from the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

Knowing the basics about UV protection in order to be able to define it simply and easily for patients is crucial to successfully explaining the importance of UV-blocking sunwear.

When communicating the impact of ultraviolet light, cover the following ABCs with each of your patients.

ALL AGES

Early cumulative UV exposure is what causes damage to eyes and the skin around eyes.

Patient message: It's important to protect eyes from UV exposure starting at a young age and continuing throughout a lifetime.

BETTER BLOCKING

Comparing lens' UV to SPF skin products gets instant understanding.

Patient message: UV protection in eyewear is like sunblock for the eyes, but UV protection in eyewear is part of the lenses and won't wear off like sunblock can.

CONDITION CONTROL

UV protective lenses help prevent a number of serious eye diseases.

Patient message: By consistently wearing UV-blocking sunwear, you can help prevent premature cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic eye conditions, skin cancer, and wrinkles.

DANGEROUS DAYS

Whatever the season or the weather, inform patients that UV is always out there.

Patient message: UV rays are more potent on sunny days, but UV is present even on cloudy days. Also, just because it's winter, don't think that ultraviolet light is gone. Any time the sun is up, the UV danger is present. You can't avoid it, so you have to protect against it.

EMBRACING ENTIRELY

Each staff member should have and wear UV-protective eyewear and be ready to discuss its features and benefits with every patient.

Patient message: Mention that your entire staff wears UV-protective eyewear, and that their families wear UV-blocking eyewear as well. That shows a strong proactive commitment to and belief in UV protection. This is a simple, powerful message to patients.