Sunglasses are an essential accessory to protect your eyes from the sun and ultraviolet rays, especially during summer days. Although sunglasses are a product commonly associated with adults, it is important to realize that kids and babies need this protection too.
Kids and babies are particularly vulnerable to ultraviolet rays - harmful and with the potential to cause permanent eye damage. It is, for this reason, crucial that parents understand the importance of kids' sunglasses and that they seek to ensure that they wear sunglasses regularly.
Why?
Children's eyes are more fragile and, therefore, more susceptible to damage caused by exposure to UV rays, since their eyes' lenses are more transparent. For that reason, they allow a greater amount of UV rays to penetrate the kid's eyes . As a consequence, the kid may suffer - in the short or long term, through sun exposure to which he is subjected in his day-to-day life - permanent eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration, for example.
The effects of exposure to the sun are cumulative and may only reveal their consequences in the medium or long term. In order to prevent the previously mentioned eye damage directly related to sun exposure, it is essential that kids wear sunglasses from an early age to protect their vision.
Considering the natural tendency of children to live their lives and the activities they most like to practice, preferably outside, the need to protect their most fragile eyes is accentuated. Spending more time on the street, sun exposure for children's eyes may even be higher than sun exposure for adults. As their eyes are more fragile - as explained above - and they spend more time exposed to ultraviolet rays, it is important that kids can carry out these activities, ensuring their visual health, through the use of kids's sunglasses .
Are all kids's sunglasses the same?
Buying sunglasses for a kid requires exactly the same level of attention and care as buying sunglasses for yourself. If there is any discrepancy, it will be due to greater care that should be given when purchasing kid's sunglasses, due to the weaknesses mentioned above.
Therefore, when parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles buy sunglasses for their children, it is important that they choose lenses that block 100% of UV rays, to make sure that the purchased sunglasses efficiently protect the kid's eyes. In this sense, polarized lenses are an excellent option, as they not only block UV rays, but also reduce glare and reflection, making vision clearer and more comfortable.
In addition, it is also recommended that sunglasses frames are resilient and comfortable, so that children can wear glasses frequently. The frames must fit well to the children's face, so that the sunglasses do not slip or fall during outdoor activities, for example.
How to choose the right sunglasses for your child?
- Make sure the sunglasses are appropriate for the kid's age and facial structure. There are sunglasses available for all ages, including babies under one year old;
- Choose a pair of sunglasses that offer full protection from the sun's rays. Make sure the sunglasses have a UV 400 protection label or higher, which means they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays;
- Also look for sunglasses with polarized lenses, which help reduce glare and make the kid's vision more comfortable;
- Choose sunglasses whose lenses are resistant to shocks and scratches, to prevent the sunglasses from being damaged as a result of less careful attention, as will be the hallmark of any child or baby;
- Kid's sunglasses must also have an elastic band, to be placed around the neck or on the head, so that the sunglasses remain secure and stable on the baby's or kid's head, thus preventing them from falling and that they get damaged.
In addition to considering these indications, seek advice from our certified Eye Technicians to ensure that you choose the right kids's sunglasses for your child's needs and appearance.
At Óptica HM we have collections with the best sunglasses for children in 2023, from the best brands and models, from Rayban to Vogue, among others. You can choose the best kid's sunglasses in any of our six stores and seek advice from our certified professionals to ensure that you are actually buying the best sunglasses.
The darker the sunglasses lenses the better are the sunglasses?
No. And it is very important to demystify this misconception, so as not to choose the wrong kid's sunglasses. The color of the lenses is not directly related to the degree of protection they offer children and babies from UV rays.
With regard to the coloring of the lenses of sunglasses, these should offer comfort in the presence of sunlight, but should not be too dark, under penalty of altering the vision and the natural colors of the objects, thus serving the opposite purpose of kid's sunglasses, protect their eyes.
When should kids wear sunglasses?
There are certain situations that make the use of sunglasses for children and babies very important, almost mandatory: when children already have vision problems.
Children most at risk of exposure to the sun are those suffering from retinal pathologies, albinism, aniridia, children who have already undergone cataract surgery - the protection of the lens ceases to exist - and children who are being treated with medications that increase sensitivity to light.
In babies and children in whom none of the pathologies mentioned above are found, sunglasses should be used during outdoor activities, in summer, in regions of high altitude or with snow and sea, where UV radiation levels are highest.
It is true, of course, that the best way to protect the children's eyes and babies from UV rays is to avoid solar radiation, namely when the UV radiation index is higher than 10 - this on a scale of 0 to 15 - and avoid direct exposure during peak hours of radiation. If this is not possible, kid's sunglasses provide greater protection and reduce the risk of exposure.
How can I motivate my child to wear sunglasses?
To encourage children to wear sunglasses, parents can consider choosing glasses with colorful and fun designs, such as those available at Óptica HM. By choosing more attractive and fun sunglasses, this will be reflected in the way the child will face their use. Also, parents can wear sunglasses so that children see them as something normal and important.
It is important to remember that children need sun protection not just for their eyes, but for their entire body. It is obviously necessary that you use sunscreen, protective clothing and suitable sun hats to avoid sunburn and other injuries, in addition to your sunglasses.
Sunglasses are an extremely important tool to protect the vision and eye health of children – and adults too – and are more than just a fashion accessory, which is why it is crucial that both children and their parents are duly informed of its importance.
