The right sunglasses for our children: What do we need to know?
Most parents know how to protect their children’s skin from sunlight, but they forget that their eyes also need protection.
Only 5 out of 10 parents wear sunglasses that effectively absorb ultraviolet radiation on their children.
On the other hand, children spend a lot of time, especially during the summer months, in places where there is a lot of reflection of sunlight such as parks, playgrounds, beaches.
Children’s lenses are clear, so they do not block ultraviolet radiation from entering their eyes, which can have a cumulative effect and cause serious vision problems in adulthood.
Therefore, we should wear good quality sunglasses for our children and keep the following in mind:
- Make sure that the glasses you buy block 100% of ultraviolet light (UV light)
- Darker lenses do not mean they protect better.
- Polarized lenses help with glare but do not block UV light.
- Make sure that the lenses are of good quality and do not distort images.
- Larger glasses also protect a larger surface area of the eye.
- Although no lens is 100% unbreakable, plastic lenses are less likely to break. Polycarbonate lenses are particularly durable and are ideal for children who participate in sports.
- Expensive glasses do not necessarily mean they are better.
What do sunglasses not protect us from?
- Sunglasses do not protect us from direct exposure to the sun, such as during a solar eclipse or when skiing. In this case, we should wear special lenses.
- Research has not concluded whether protection from UV radiation decreases over time. So if you are wondering whether your old glasses still protect you from UV radiation, then you just have to check them at an optical store that has the appropriate device (UV light meter).
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