Prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye

Pterygium - Prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye Factor

Sunlight exposure as a factor requires only a total dose (in hours) of sun exposure to the unprotected eye.  The RMA has defined the unprotected eye to mean "an eye exposed to sunlight and not protected by UV screening devices".

UV screening devices that can protect the eye from sunlight include:

• Sunglasses
• Most prescription glasses (all polycarbonate lens and some newer plastic lens give UV protection, most other plastic lens now come with added UV protection)
• Most types of goggles relevant to military service
• Some other barriers such as aircraft canopies
• Tinted glass (e.g. in car windows).

Hats generally are not considered sufficient to protect the eye from sunlight exposure.

This factor requires consideration of sunlight exposure for a specified number of hours while in a tropical area, or equivalent sunlight exposure in other latitude zones.

Not all the hours need to be accumulated as a result of VEA service - service need only have made a material contribution to the development of the disease.  Generally, living in Australia for a reasonable length of time would mean the minimum requirements of the SOPs (2250 hours RH/4500 hours BOP) are satisfied.

Calculation of sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye

Last reviewed for CCPS 12 March 2008.

Preliminary questions [39411]

39412  the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and VEA service for the clinical onset of pterygium.

39413   the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and operational service for the clinical onset of pterygium.

or

39414   the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and eligible service for the clinical onset of pterygium.

Clinical onset and operational service [39413]

39415 the veteran had sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 2250 hours, normalised for latitude, at some time.

39417 the veteran had sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 2250 hours, normalised for latitude, before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39419 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 2250 hours, normalised for latitude, before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [39414]

39416 the veteran had sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 4500 hours, normalised for latitude, at some time.

39418 the veteran had sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 4500 hours, normalised for latitude, before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39420 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 4500 hours, normalised for latitude, before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.