The Vision Council Hosts Congressional Briefing for National Sunglasses Day

Alexandria, VA (June 27, 2019) – In honor of National Sunglasses Day—a commemorative date held annually on June 27 celebrating the importance of wearing shades to protect the eyes from the sun's harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays—The Vision Council briefed Congressional staff this afternoon on campaign messaging and established the importance of educating the public about how they can protect their vision.

With the aim of educating attendees on the importance of wearing UV-protective eyewear, Bridgitte Shen Lee, optometrist and spokesperson for The Vision Council, presented an overview on the health impacts of UV radiation on the eyes, the risk factors of not wearing UV-protective eyewear for kids and adults, and the sunglasses and eyewear solutions available to protect the eyes.

"Getting the word out about the importance of wearing UV-protective sunwear is so important, especially to those in a position to educate others," said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. "This year's Congressional staff briefing was well attended, so we're excited for The Vision Council's message to be heard and spread, not only on National Sunglasses Day, but year-round."

Attendees were also given UV-protective sunwear and encouraged to snap a photo in their new shades to share on social media, using the official hashtags #NationalSunglassesDay and #SunglassSelfie.

For more information about the National Sunglasses Day campaign, please visit nationalsunglassesday.com. For more information about The Vision Council's official UV eye health statistics and tips, visit thevisioncouncil.org/uv.

EDITOR'S NOTE: High-resolution images are available upon request. Contact Julia Moore at jmoore@thevisioncouncil.org.

About The Vision Council

Championing better vision for better lives, The Vision Council positions its members for success by promoting growth in the vision care industry through education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums. By sharing the latest in eyewear trends, advances in technology and advice from eyewear experts, The Vision Council serves as a resource to the public looking to learn more about options in eyeglasses and sunglasses.