No matter what time of year, whether playing in the sand or on the slopes, your children are being exposed to harmful, damaging ultraviolet rays that can cause permanent damage to their eyes.
Long-term exposure to UV light can lead to cataracts, skin cancer and retina damage.
Protecting your child’s eyes from UV exposure and wind damage starting early in life will help reduce the incidence of eye-related issues later. It is estimated that 80% of lifetime UV light absorption occurs before the age of 18 due to the fact that parents are not educated on the damage being done to their children’s eyes.
Everyone, including children, should protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, but one of the problems with kids wearing sunglasses is that they tend to pull them off! Fortunately, sunglasses made out of tough, shatter-resistant polycarbonate, are available in infant and toddler sizes.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses:
- Sunglasses should block 100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.
- Lenses should be impact resistant and the frames should be bendable, unbreakable and/or have snap-on arms.
- Try the sunglasses on your child and make sure that their eyes are fully covered. The lenses should be large enough to shield their eyes from most angles and should also fit snugly against the bridge of the child’s nose in order to reduce the amount of sunlight that enters.