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5 Reasons Why Kids
Should Wear Sunglasses
Parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles often find it hard to understand the need for kids’ sunglasses. Do they really need them? Are children’s sunglasses necessary, or are they just style accessories?
Let’s clear the doubts for good and answer the most frequently asked questions about children’s sunglasses. Plus, we’ll talk about five important reasons kids should wear sunglasses and how you can improve your child’s eye protection.
Do Children Really Need Sunglasses?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 10 wear sunglasses when they are outside. But why? There is a difference between a child’s and an adult’s eye structure. Children’s eyes have larger pupils than adults’, which means their eye lenses experience more sunlight exposure and allow more UV radiation to pass through.
Moreover, a child’s eye retina is not as developed as an adult’s, so it is more prone to damage from the sun. The combination of a large pupil and an underdeveloped retina can lead to a number of eye problems, including:
- Cataracts
- Pterygium
- Photokeratitis
- Macular Degeneration
All of these conditions can cause vision impairment and even blindness. So children need to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
Why are UV Rays harmful?
UVA and UVB radiation are two of the three types of UV radiation that come from the sun. The third type (UVC) is harmless because it is absorbed by the earth.
However, UVA and UVB are neither filtered by the ozone layer nor absorbed by the earth and hence cause damage.
Both types of radiation are potentially harmful to the eyes. UVA radiation is the leading cause of skin aging and can cause cataracts, while UVB radiation is the main cause of sunburns.
Moreover, UVB radiation can cause photokeratitis, which leads to temporary vision impairment.
Plus, both UVA and UVB radiation can also increase a child’s risk of developing macular degeneration and other eye diseases later in life.
So, it’s extremely important for children to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
How Sunglasses Protect Children From UV Rays?
Sunglasses act as your line of defense against ultraviolet radiation and keep your eyes healthy. Sunglasses’ lenses are made from different elements that function together to protect children’s vision. Here are a few commonly used methods for UV protection:
- UV Coating
- Mirror Coating
- AR (Anti-Reflective) Coating
- Polarized Lenses
UV Coating: The UV coating is a thin, transparent layer that is applied to plastic lenses. However, polycarbonate lenses have built-in UV protection. Whatever the case, UV coating effectively blocks out UV radiation and helps reduce eye fatigue for the wearer.
Mirror Coating: This coating acts just like its name (mirror) and reflects all the sun’s harmful rays away from your child’s eyes. Besides filtering out the bright sunlight rays, mirror coating helps keep squinting and eye strain away. Plus, it makes the sunglasses look incredibly cool and stylish.
AR (Anti-Reflective) Coating: This coating is applied to the backside of the lens and helps reduce glare. It’s perfect for kids who wear glasses because it eliminates the reflections that can occur on eyeglasses and interfere with vision.
Polarized Lenses: These lenses are designed to reduce glare and enhance contrast. They are perfect for kids who spend a lot of time outdoors because they make it easier to see in bright sunlight. So, when shopping for your child’s eyewear collection, make sure you buy one of the above types of sunglasses. But, keep in mind that not all sunglasses offer the same level of protection. Only sunglasses labeled “UV400” protect your child’s eyes from 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation. But, besides UV protection, why else should kids wear sunglasses? Let’s see.
5 Reasons Kids Should Wear Sunglasses
Apart from shielding children’s eyes against UV rays, here are five solid reasons kids should wear sunglasses:
1. Children need protection
from an early age.
Children have sensitive eyes and skin. Sun exposure at an early age can lead to several eye problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and even cancer. Sunglasses offer the best form of protection against the sun’s harmful rays and should be worn by kids from an early age. Plus, they protect kids’ eyes from dust, pollen, and other allergens that can cause problems such as itchy and watery eyes.
2. Children’s sunglasses
prevent squinting.
When the sun is shining brightly, it can be difficult for kids to see. This leads to them squinting, which can cause several problems, including headaches and eye fatigue. Sunglasses help reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the eyes, which prevents squinting.
3. Sunglasses reduce the
risk of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Sun exposure, especially at an early age, increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Sunglasses offer the best form of protection against the sun’s harmful UV radiation and help reduce skin cancer risk.
4. Sunglasses preserve
children’s vision.
The longer a child is exposed to the sun’s UV rays, the greater the risk of developing eye problems later in life. Why is that? Because the effect of UV rays on a person’s eyes is slow and cumulative. This means you might not notice any damage to your child’s eye in the early years, but they may have problems later. Sunglasses protect a child’s eyes from the sun’s UV rays and help to preserve their vision for years to come.
5. Regularly wearing sunglasses
develops good early habits.
Teaching your child good hygiene habits at an early age will help them develop good lifelong habits. Wearing sunglasses from a young age is one such habit that will help keep your child’s eyes healthy and protected.
6. The Obvious Bonus –
Sunglasses Enhance Style
Kids love to look cool and trendy, and sunglasses offer the perfect way to do just that. There are a variety of different styles and colors of sunglasses available for children, so you’re sure to find a pair that your child will love.
The above-listed reasons clearly show why the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) stresses the importance of children wearing sunglasses. Not only are children’s sunglasses stylish, but they are excellent protectors of their eye health.
However, some parents find it confusing when or not to make their kids wear sunglasses.
Let’s make it a little easier for you.
When should kids wear sunglasses?
Some parents may choose to have their kids wear sunglasses whenever they are outside, while others may only have their kids wear sunglasses when it’s sunny or bright. However, it is generally recommended that kids wear sunglasses whenever exposed to the sun’s UV rays. This includes the following activities:
Playing Outside:
Kids love to play outside, and when they’re playing in the sun, it’s vital to have them wear sunglasses for protection. Whether they are at the park, playground, or your own backyard, it’s best to protect their eyes from the sun.
On Cloudy Days:
There’s a misconception that children’s sunglasses are worn on sunny days or during direct exposure to sunlight. The truth is that UV rays are always present as long as it’s daytime, no matter how cloudy or sunny the weather is.
Traveling during the day:
When traveling during the day, it’s important to have kids wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s UV rays or the reflection and glare from glass windows.
Spending Time at the Beach or Pool:
The sun’s UV rays are strongest near the water, so it’s important to have kids wearing sunglasses when they’re at the beach or at the pool.
Skiing or Snowboarding:
The sun’s UV rays are just as intense in the snow as in the sun, so it’s essential for kids to have sunglasses when skiing or snowboarding.
All Year Round:
On the whole (and to be on the safer side), children should wear sunglasses all around the year whenever they are outside – while riding a bicycle, going to school, in the stroller, in the car, or simply when walking outside.
Whether it’s summer or winter, cloudy or sunny, ensure that your child wears quality sunglasses with UV protection. Now that you understand the importance of children’s sunglasses let’s not directly jump to buying any random sunglasses that you find online. There are a few things you need to consider before purchasing a pair.