May 3, 2012 - Annual Spring Sunglass Show

 Join Norfolk Family Eye Care at our Simcoe office for our 4th Annual Maui Jim Sunglass Show. 
On Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 2 to 7 p.m.  Door prizes and free gift with purchase.
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May 24, 2012 - CNIB

Shades of Fun - changing the future of Canada’s vision health

“Thousands of Canadians from coast to coast will be participating in Shades of Fun by wearing their shades, raising awareness about UV damage and raising funds for our vital services for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted,” says CNIB President and CEO John M. Rafferty.

To take part, simply fundraise throughout the month of May and get your family, friends and co-workers involved too! Then join  in celebrating on May 24, the official day for Canadians from coast to coast to don their best sunglasses, protect their eyes from UV rays and show the whole country their shades of fun!

In addition to raising funds in support of CNIB services, Shades of Fun is designed to raise critical awareness about the importance of protecting your eyes from UV damage so we can help eliminate avoidable sight loss in Canada. One way of doing so is by wearing UV-protected sunglasses all year round – and encouraging your loved ones to do the same.

“Over the long-term, constant exposure to UV radiation from the sun can increase your risk for developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration [AMD], the number one cause of vision loss for Canadians,” says Rafferty.

With 75 per cent of blindness and partial sight in Canada being preventable or treatable, CNIB’s goal for Vision Health Month is to reduce the number of Canadians who lose their sight each year by 50 per cent by 2020. That’s 22,500 Canadians whose sight could be saved every year – the size of a typical town.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are intensified when reflected, so glare is almost always present during daylight hours, even when cloudy.

“You should wear UV-absorbing sunglasses all year round: on the ski slopes and on the beach, when it’s cloudy and when it’s sunny,” says Rafferty. “Children should wear sunglasses as well. It’s never too soon to start.”

When choosing your sunglasses, look for a pair with at least 99 per cent protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Lenses should be large enough to block light entering from the sides and dark enough to reduce glare. Most importantly, remember to wear your sunglasses every day if spending time outside, regardless of the season.

Funds raised from Shades of Fun will help CNIB reduce avoidable sight loss in Canada and provide community-based programs across the country to ensure no Canadian has to face the challenges of sight loss alone.

For more information on how you can get involved in Shades of Fun, visit shadesoffun.ca.