RAMSEY, MINN. (June 8, 2009) – With sun safety a growing concern for consumers and the sun season upon us, Vision-Ease Lens (VEL), manufacturer of Coppertone™ polarized lenses, and The Skin Cancer Foundation are working together to educate consumers about the importance of sun protection for the eyes. The partnership includes VEL as the official sponsor of The Skin Cancer Foundation’s first-ever online eye safety educational campaign to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the eyes from harmful UV/HEV light.

 

The campaign’s educational content will reach thousands of consumers and stresses the importance of broad-spectrum sun protection, especially around the eyes, to help protect against a wide range of sun-related damage. The information is available on The Skin Cancer Foundation Web site, skincancer.org, which gets nearly 8 million page views annually, and in brochures distributed by VEL to eye care providers (ECPs) and retailers to give to customers.

 

“We are pleased Vision-Ease Lens is helping educate consumers about polarized sun lenses and relaying the message that sun protection for your eyes is just as important as sun protection for your skin,” said Perry Robins, MD, president, The Skin Cancer Foundation.

 

Specific campaign content includes information on the difference between UVA, UVB and HEV light; the symptoms of eye diseases and potential damage related to different types of light; risk factors for damage such as skin tone, eye color and age; and protection options.  The information is available on The Skin Cancer Foundation Web site by clicking the “For Your Eyes” link.

 

“Sponsoring The Skin Cancer Foundation’s educational campaign shows Vision-Ease Lens’ continuing commitment to providing consumers with reliable sun protection information as they make eyewear choices,” said Barry Resnik, director of marketing, VEL.

 

Manufactured by VEL and initially launched in October 2007, Coppertone polarized lenses block 100 percent of UV (UVA/UVB) rays and demonstrate the commitment of VEL to develop and offer products that promote eye protection that goes beyond UV protection to guard against harmful HEV light. Coppertone polarized lenses are available in single vision, bifocals, trifocals, planos and Illumina progressive lenses to meet the needs of a wide variety of consumers.  The lenses come in both HEV brown and HEV gray colors.

 

Coppertone lenses carry The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation which ensures that they are an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin. In addition, the lenses meet American Optometric Association’s specifications for blockage of UVA and UVB rays.

 

 

Now celebrating its 30^th year, The Skin Cancer Foundation is committed to educating the public and medical professionals about sun safety. As leaders in the fight against skin cancer, the Foundation is the only global organization solely devoted to the prevention, detection and treatment of the world’s most common cancer. The mission of the Foundation is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research. To learn more about the Foundation and its programs, visit www.skincancer.org.

Headquartered in Ramsey, Minn., Vision-Ease Lens is a manufacturer of quality ophthalmic lenses including LifeRx^Ò light-responsive lenses, Coppertone^™ polarized lenses, SunRx^Ò polarized lenses, and Illumina^Ò progressive line-free lenses. Vision-Ease Lens products are sold through independent opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists, as well as many retail chains and dispensing markets across the country. For more information about Vision-Ease Lens and its products, visit www.vision-ease.com