Acquired cataract - 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 Statements of Principle (SOP), (2250 hours RH/4500 hours BOP) are satisfied.
Calculation of sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye
Last reviewed for CCPS 20 August 2008.
Preliminary questions [30775]
39928 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and VEA service for the condition under consideration.
30776 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
30777 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
or
30778 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
or
7334 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.
7335 the condition under consideration permanently worsened.
39929 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
39930 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
or
39931 the veteran has established the causal connection between prolonged sunlight exposure to the unprotected eye and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
Clinical onset and operational service [30777]
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 [30778]
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.
Clinical worsening and operational service [39930]
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.
39932 the veteran had sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 2250 hours, normalised for latitude, after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and before its clinical worsening.
39934 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, after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and before its clinical worsening.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [39931]
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.
39933 the veteran had sunlight exposure to the unprotected other relevant side and site of the body for at least 4500 hours, normalised for latitude, after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and before its clinical worsening.
39935 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, after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and before its clinical worsening.