Italian National Television, from June the Air Force Weather Service will include the UV Index

From June 1 on RAIUNO, the Air Force Weather Service will be giving the ultraviolet radiation index in addition to its daily weather forecasts.

The initiative (during the summer months it will also be broadcast by Rai's two other channels) has the strong support of the Commissione Difesa Vista (the Sight Protection Commission), which for years has been active in promoting information campaigns on correct sight protection. The aim is to spread the UV Index throughout Italy and accustom people to consulting it so that they can choose the most appropriate protection based on radiation levels.

The diffusion of the UV Index by the media will help people to give their skin adequate protection and make the best use of sunglasses by knowing about the quality of protective lenses. And this is precisely one of the main themes indicated by the World Health Organization to raise people's awareness levels.

Thanks to the Air Force Weather Service, Italy will also be in line with the most advanced countries in the west, where the dangers of ultraviolet radiation have been constantly monitored for years.In short, knowing what the sun will be doing tomorrow will help us to decide which sun barrier to use and which protective sunglasses to wear. Not to mention the other measures that can be taken: the best times to sunbathe, what protection to use for your kids: t-shirts, caps and so on. And it's precisely where children are concerned that particular care must be taken against the dangerous effects of UV, because the crystalline lens of the eye continues to develop up to 12 years of age.

Also aimed at educating the consumer in the correct use of sunglasses is the Commissione Difesa Vista's new advertising campaign due to start mid-June.The campaign has two subjects, one with a female target showing protective eye cream that looks like a pair of glasses, and a bottle of sun oil shaped like a pair of glasses lying in the sand under the hot summer sun (see picture). The first, which says 'Your eyes are just as delicate as your skin. Are you sure you're giving them the same care?', focuses on the correct use of protection from the sun's rays, while the claim in the second one is 'Do your eyes have the proper protection? Come June, use the ultraviolet radiation index ' and aims at underscoring the new UV Index service.

Together with the campaign in the main Italian periodicals, CDV will provide all opticians taking part in the initiative with a kit complete with information leaflets to be distributed to customers and advertising material for the outlets.