UV rays at bay: India Vision Institute distributes sunglasses to 150 fishermen

New Delhi: In a unique initiative of its kind, the India Vision Institute (IVI) and Essilor Vision Foundation have come together to distribute free sunglasses to 150 fishermen from the Chinna Neelangarai community in Chennai on Monday.

The sunglasses will help protect the fishermen from UV radiation that can lead to vision loss.

The sunglasses were distributed at Chinna Neelangarai Kuppam in the presence of Mr VE Mathiazhagan, Secretary, Shollinghanallur, East Zone; Mr Aravind Ramesh, MLA Shollinganallur; Vinod Daniel, CEO-India Vision Institute and Essilor India Pvt Ltd's Mr Dharmaprasad Rai and MrVinayak Raman.

Vinod Daniel, IVI CEO, said, "the sunglasses will help protect the fishermen from damage to their eyes. The healthy side of sunlight notwithstanding, prolonged exposure to it increases the risk of potential eye damage and vision loss."

"Fishing folk, farmers and other manual labourers who remain outdoors for prolonged periods of time are at great risk from UV radiation. People who work outdoors receive 5-10 times more UV doses than those indoors. Sunglasses bring down the risk of potential eye damage," Mr Daniel noted.

"Events such as these also help in spreading awareness among community members. Simply wearing sunglasses by fisherfolk out at sea will not only help protect them from UV rays but also improve their vision and improve their catch," he added.

Mr Ramachandran, Group Chief Operating Officer, Essilor India Pvt Ltd., said "Essilor is pleased to be able to associate with the program through the Essilor Vision Foundation. The sunglasses distributed today should help fishermen protect themselves from harmful UV rays."

IVI acknowledged the support of Essilor Vision Foundation in providing sunglasses to the fishermen community of Chinna Neelangarai Community.

The advantages of sunglasses are; eliminate glare off water, give a wider scope of vision, help see across water, improve clarity when fishing in sandy lakes or stream beds, protect from many sunburn ocular diseases like cataract, Pterygium, Keratitis, macular degeneration etc.