National Sunnies Day teaches value of safeguarding eyes
PREP students at Ipswich Grammar School (IGS) donned their sunglasses in support of National Sunnies Day yesterday.
National Sunnies Day was launched by the Queensland Eye Institute (QEI) and is aimed at teaching children the importance of being sun smart and protecting their eyes outdoors.
IGS junior school spokeswoman Lisa Hooper said the students already knew about the importance of sun protection and National Sunnies Day helped to emphasise the message.
"We're a SunSmart school; all the students wear hats outside and we have sunscreen in our classrooms," Ms Hooper said.
As part of National Sunnies Day, the QEI offers an eye protection education program to Australian primary school children.
This year, students were also invited to film educational videos promoting sun safety.
All funds raised for National Sunnies Day will be donated to the Prevent Blindness Foundation, helping to continue research, education and clinical care at the QEI.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
- More than 500,000 Australians have low vision or are legally blind due to preventable conditions like macular degeneration.
- About 300 people are diagnosed with a vision-threatening eye condition every week - QEI.
