Sunglasses Appeal

 
 
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We are currently seeking donations of high quality sunglasses for the mountain porters of Nepal.  Apart from the impact of cold weather at high altitude, Himalayan porters - like all those who trek in this beautiful part of the world - are at risk of snow blindness.  This painful condition is caused by extreme UV levels, which kill the outer cells of the eyeball, leading to blindness. Such problems can be avoided by wearing effective sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB radiation and so prevent damage to the eye.


Research conducted by the Himalayan Rescue Association and Nepal International Clinic shows that porters in the region are just as susceptible to such medical problems as western trekkers.  Despite this they often lack the basic equipment that would protect against preventable ailments such as snow blindness and photokeratitis.


SEND US YOUR SUNGLASSES AND SUPPORT OUR APPEAL!


At high altitude sunglasses that are of particular use have the following qualities:

-Category 3

-99-100% UV absorption

-5-10% visible light transmittance

-Polycarbonate or CR-39 lens

-Large lenses that fit close to the face

  1. -Wraparound or side shielded to prevent incidental light exposure


Send your glasses to: 972B Garratt Lane, London SW17 0ND or bring them along to one of our events.



Thanks to the support of TRAIL Magazine we have already received hundreds of pairs of sunglasses which were taken out to Nepal in May 2008 but we still need more!  Send us your old sunglasses and help a mountain porter today!