Does Your Child Really Need Sunglasses?

Do children really need sunglasses? According to most kid’s eye doctors, the answer is a resounding ‘YES.’

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Because children tend to spend more time outdoors, especially during the summer, than most adults, more than half of a person’s lifetime exposure from ultraviolet radiation can take place by age 18. That’s why children’s eye doctors ALWAYS recommend that kids start wearing sunglasses by age 3.

Over-exposure to harmful UV rays can lead to poor eyesight and serious eye conditions later on in life including:

• retina damage
• cataracts
• age-related macular degeneration

At Sunridge Eye Clinic, our kid’s eye doctors are qualified to provide a wide range of eye care services from UV contact lenses & prescription sunglasses (for children who wear eyeglasses) to comprehensive eye exams to ensure the long-term health and comfort of your child’s vision.

 

UV Exposure & Children’s Vision

While parents are aware of the importance of taking care of their children’s skin while they are outdoors, what many don’t realize is how it is more important for children than adults to protect their eyes from harmful UV exposure.

There are two main reasons for this: 

• The lenses of a child’s eyes are more transparent than adults, which means that a larger percentage of harmful UV rays pass through their eyes, leaving their vision more vulnerable to the effects of sun damage

• 80% of an individual’s exposure to UV in their lifetime occurs before the age of 18

Talk to Your Children’s Eye Doctor

Talking to your kid’s eye doctor now about protecting your child’s eyes during the summer will decrease the likelihood of them developing serious eye conditions later on in life. Your children’s eye doctor can inform you on:

• Sunglasses that have 100% UVA and UVB blocking lenses
• Contact lenses with UV protection

 Be sure to book a comprehensive eye exam with your local children’s eye doctor to ensure your child’s vision is health and to determine whether or not they have any current eye conditions or require eyeglasses.

This will allow your children’s eye doctor to successfully aid you in choosing the right type of sunglasses and/or contact lenses for your child.

 

Prescription Sunglasses For Children

Just because your child wears prescription eyeglasses doesn’t mean that he/she can’t also wear sunglasses! There are a wide range of sunglasses available for children with prescriptions and working together with your kid’s eye doctor can help you make the right choice for your child.

Photochromic polycarbonate lenses are an excellent choice for children who wear eyeglasses and need prescription sunglasses. These lenses darken automatically when exposed to the sun’s UV rays and then quickly return to a clear state once indoors - so one pair of eyeglasses does the job of two!

 Better yet? They provide 100% UV protection.

Talk to a children’s eye doctor today about prescription sunglasses! CALL NOW

 

5 Rules to Follow When Buying Sunglasses For Children

While working with a qualified and experienced kid’s eye doctor will ensure that you’ll find the perfect pair of sunglasses for your child, here are 5 basic rules to keep in mind when going shopping for summer eyewear:

1. Find glasses that block 100% of both UVA & UVB rays

Make sure to buy sunglasses that indicate the percentage of UVR protection they provide and ensure it’s 99-100%. In addition, look for large, wraparound sunglass styles because the more skin covered, the better the protection.

2. Use playground-proof lenses

Kids are very active and, just as with their eyeglasses, their sunglasses should match this lifestyle. Talk to your children’s eye doctor about impact-resistant, scratch-proof lenses that won’t pop out of the frames. ALWAYS opt for plastic lenses unless recommended otherwise by a kid’s eye doctor.

3. Let your kid choose

Children - especially teens and older kids - are more likely to wear their sunglasses if they select them themselves. So make sure that the pair you buy are ones that your kid loves!

4. Double check the sunglasses before buying them

Before buying your child a pair of sunglasses make sure that the lenses are not scratched or have any issues that may distort vision. Very young children may not know to complain if the sunglasses are flawed so it’s up to you to ensure they’re perfect before you buy.

6. Get extra protection

Sunglasses only block UV rays that come directly through the lenses which means that the skin around the eyes remains vulnerable. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a good idea for children, as it blocks out many of the rays from above and even from the sides, while also shielding their face and neck.

In addition, most children’s eye doctors recommend seeking shade between 10am-2pm as this is when the sun’s rays are most intense.

 

Call Today

To find out more about our wide range of children’s eyeglasses & sunglasses, or to book an appointment with a children’s eye doctor, contact our eye clinic at 403-280-7518.