(It’s Not Just Cute Colors)

Did you know that your child’s vision is the single most important factor in how they learn about the world around them?

Experts say that roughly 80% of what a child learns comes in through their visual system. As a parent, that means protecting those young eyes needs to go at the top of the “most important things to do” list for your child’s visual development and health.

The sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can start slowly damaging eyes from the very beginning of a child’s life. Cumulative radiation can cause serious and visually debilitating problems in adulthood.

The solution to protecting their eyes from the sun is quite simple: Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Sunglasses are not just a fun, cool fashion accessory. They are a very real tool that you can use to minimize the risk of skin cancer, injury to the retina, and developing cataracts or macular degeneration later in life.

Let’s look at some essential things to consider when choosing sunglasses for your child or adolescent.

At What Age Do I Put Sunglasses On My Child?

Short answer? As soon as they’ll tolerate them!

Try a pair around age 1, which is a good time to start the habit of wearing sunglasses. “Sun’s out, shades on” is the rule — but in addition, adults and kids both need to wear sunglasses even on cloudy days to protect their eyes from UV radiation, which easily pierces the cloud layer.

What Should I Look For In Kids’ Sunglasses?

Several factors go into making a high-quality pair of sunglasses that will protect your child’s eyes:

1. Maximum UV protection. The most important part of choosing your child’s sunnies is that they provide “100% UVA and UVB protection” or “UV400 protection,” a designation that means the lenses block all UV light with a wavelength under 400 nanometers – which includes both UVA and UVB rays.
2. Lens tint. Remember that lens tint does not indicate the level of UV protection it offers. A darker tint does not mean better protection from UV radiation. There are lots of things to consider when protecting your child’s eye health —and we’re happy to discuss them! That’s why it’s important to consult your optometrist for the best possible protection.
3. Impact-resistant lenses. These lenses are designed for kids who participate in sports, or busy kids who play roughly, because they won’t shatter on impact. Anti-scratch coatings are a smart option for sunglasses that may be dropped often or tossed into a sports bag.
4. Comfortable, snug fit. It’s important to find a comfortable pair of sunglasses or kids will not wear them. Rubber-like frames work best for active kids who twist, toss, stomp, and yank on their sunglasses. Additionally, wrap-around styles help to keep sunlight from “leaking” into the sides of the frames and allowing damaging sunlight to enter the eye.
5. Polarized lenses. Polarization is optional but very helpful in reducing glare. Polarized lenses are coated with a layer that blocks light waves that reflect off of surfaces like sand, pavement, and water. Polarized doesn’t mean UV protection, so look for both designations. Student athletes say that polarized sunglasses help them play better by reducing sunlight and glare.
6. Straps for securing sunglasses. Babies and toddlers may need removable or adjustable straps to help secure the shades on their smaller nose bridges and heads.

Avoid These Common Kid Sunglasses Mistakes

Dollar Store Finds. Most likely, those $1 “funglasses” don’t offer 100% UV protection (or maybe even any UV protection at all) or shatterproof lenses. Mom was right: You get what you pay for!

Toy Sunglasses. That cute heart- or star-shaped lens is not only ineffective in blocking UV rays but could be downright dangerous! Such sunglasses very likely do not offer any UV protection. And worse: A dark tint on the lens can allow your child’s pupil to open more fully and let in more light, causing the eye to absorb even more damaging UV radiation.

Avoid toy sunglasses and dollar-store funglasses: They are not worth the risk of potentially damaging your child’s vision.

Quick Tips For Getting Kids To Wear Sunglasses

A little child psychology goes a long way! Let your child pick the style, frame and color they love. This may be the single most important factor in getting a kid to wear sunglasses. You might not love the purple and orange frames, but if it inspires them to wear those shades every day, it’s worth it!

Model the behavior: When your kids see you put on your sunglasses every time you step outside, they’ll learn that positive behavior from you.

We’re Here to Help

If you need help choosing the right sunglasses for your child, call our office today. It’s our mission to help families like yours protect your kids’ eyes from infancy through college-age and into adulthood. We look forward to seeing you in our optical department soon!