Sunglasses and the Italians

A recent study conducted by the Piepoli Institute for CDV – Commissione Difesa Vista - has given worrying results: only 60% of Italians use sunglasses, but only 52% consider them “essential to protect the eyes from damaging UV rays”; only 15% always use sunglasses and 30% almost never or never wear them, and 18% only rarely. Children and the elderly are most at risk: only 11% of very young children and 10% of over 55s wear sunglasses.

Taking a closer look, the use of sunglasses is concentrated in the 25 to 54 age group; it decreases again, to involve less than 50% among the over 64s and the youngest. While the use of sunglasses among young people with sight defects is extremely low (15%-20%), from 45 years of age the use is prevalent precisely among the population that suffers from sight defects; among those without sight defects there is a slump in the use of sunglasses in people aged 55 and older. The relationship between the low use of sunglasses and the level of education is confirmed.

A recent study conducted by the Piepoli Institute for CDV – Commissione Difesa Vista - has given worrying results: only 60% of Italians use sunglasses, but only 52% consider them “essential to protect the eyes from damaging UV rays”; only 15% always use sunglasses and 30% almost never or never wear them, and 18% only rarely. Children and the elderly are most at risk: only 11% of very young children and 10% of over 55s wear sunglasses.

Taking a closer look, the use of sunglasses is concentrated in the 25 to 54 age group; it decreases again, to involve less than 50% among the over 64s and the youngest. While the use of sunglasses among young people with sight defects is extremely low (15%-20%), from 45 years of age the use is prevalent precisely among the population that suffers from sight defects; among those without sight defects there is a slump in the use of sunglasses in people aged 55 and older. The relationship between the low use of sunglasses and the level of education is confirmed.

“Sunglasses are not just a whim; they are a real protective instrument against damaging UV rays”, warn the experts of Commissione Difesa Vista Onlus (Not-for-profit organisation focused on the protection of sight).

To be constantly alert, it is possible to download the App Sole Amico produced by Cosmetica Italia and Commissione Difesa Vista to offer advice on the correct exposure to the sun, appropriately protecting the eyes and the skin. The App provides personalised advice for all the family, based on phototype, eye colour and weather conditions (place, time and UV rays). It is available on the App Store and Google Play free of charge and there is a version for the Apple Watch.