Subscribe by EmailSunglasses for Kids and Babies
The next time you pack up your baby or kids for an afternoon of outdoor fun whether at the beach or in the snow, remember that little ones need extra protection from the sun! It is now known that 80% of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before they are 21, so protecting children from harmful rays can never start too early.
Never Too Young for Sunglasses
Although many parents don’t realize it, children’s eyes are far more sensitive to sunlight than adult eyes. Unlike an adult, a child’s eyes offer no natural protection from harmful rays. Before the age of one, as much as 90% of UVA and 50% of UVB rays reach the retina, and since children’s pupils are dilated so wide at this young age, they receive a much higher dose of harmful radiation. Babies are also at risk since their eyes absorb virtually 100% of ultrviolet and infra-red radiation. In addition to protecting young eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays, a good pair of sunglasses also cuts down on glare which reduces squinting and is much more comfortable in bright conditions.
Parents are often fooled into thinking that toy-like, inexpensive kids sunglasses found in many department stores are protecting their children adequately. In fact, many times, these sunglasses do more harm than good since they give children the false sense that their eyes are protected by making the outside world “seem” darker. Since these glasses may have no UVA/UVB protection, when children look directly into bright sunlight they are not getting any protective benefits at all and exposing their eyes to greater harm. Remember too, sunglasses are just as important in bright reflective winter sun as they are in the summer!
Tips for Choosing a Pair of Sunglasses for Kids
• Only choose sunglasses that have full UVA and UVB protection.
• Select frames that are appropriate for your child’s size and age (babies, toddlers, kids or big kids).
• Don’t fortget that baby’s eyes are sensitive too.
• For younger babies and toddlers, try sunglasses that have a head strap for a better stay-put fit.
Other Sun Protection Tips
• Use sunscreen! It has been found that regular use of sunscreen on children can lower the risk of skin cancer by almost 78%.
• Wear a hat! A good hat will not only protect little heads but also provide some protection for faces and necks.
• Wear protective clothing when possible, including a shirt or beach cover up. Keep in mind that most clothing however only has an SPF of 5-9, so you can still get sun damage with a shirt on.
• Limit exposure to the sun when it is at its strongest (10am-4pm).
• Use sunscreen daily, even if it is cloudy, since most of the sun’s radiation penetrates clouds and can still cause sunburn.
• Deet lowers the effectiveness of sunscreens, so use a higher SPF if you are using a combination product that has both a sunscreen and an insect repellent.
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