Maybe it’s one of those things you’ve never thought about before but your kids should be wearing sunglasses.
Because kids spend so much time outdoors in direct sunlight, they need sunglasses to protect their eyes even more than adults do. Some experts say that we get up to half of our lifetime exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation by the time we’re 18 years old.
Sunglass Styles for Kids
Kids aren’t usually interested in wearing something as a fashion accessory. Still, there are a wide variety of styles and sizes in sunglass styles for kids that they will enjoy wearing. Almost any children’s frame can be made into sunglasses by adding either prescription of non-prescription sunglass lenses.
Because of their durability, metal frames are very popular for children’s sunglasses. Wraparound styles, in scaled-down versions for kids, are also popular because they fit closer to the face than traditional frame styles and so provide superior UV protection, not only for their eyes but also for the delicate skin around their eyes.
100 Percent UV Protection a Must
When choosing children’s sunglasses, it is important to make sure that the lenses block 100 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The harmful effects of UV radiation are cumulative over a person’s lifetime so, by limiting your child’s exposure to UV rays during their younger years, you could be helping to decrease their risk of cataracts and other eye problems when they are adults.
Lens Choices with Protection Built In
Polycarbonate lenses have 100 percent UV protection built in and they are lighter and more impact-resistant than other types of lenses. These facts make them a great choice for kids’ sunglasses. Polycarbonate lenses can also be tinted to almost any shade you like.
If your child wears prescription eyewear, photochromic polycarbonate lenses are a good choice. This type of lens darkens automatically when exposed to the sun’s UV rays and quickly return to a clear state indoors. In other words, one pair of eyeglasses does the job of two pairs. Photochromic lenses also provide 100 percent UV protection.
Accessories to Consider
We all know how easy it can be for children to lose things. One way to help prevent them from losing their sunglasses is to purchase sunglass cords or “retainers.” The cords attach to the temples of the sunglass frames so that your child can remove them and the eyewear will hang from their neck, rather than being misplaced.
A durable, hard-shell carrying case is also a good investment for protecting your investment in your child’s sunglasses. Make sure your son or daughter knows how to clean and care for their eyewear properly.
