Kids are notoriously active and love to spend time outdoors, so it makes sense to get them a pair of sunglasses that will protect their eyes from the powerful rays of the sun. When shopping around for this practical accessory, cute sunnies may score major points, but keep in mind that there is more to consider when choosing the perfect pair for your little ones’ health and safety. In this piece, we covered some of the important factors you should consider when buying sunglasses for your kids.
UV rays protection
This is one of the most important factors to consider if you want to safeguard your kids’ precious peepers from damage. Since extended exposure to UVA and UVB rays increases the risk of eye diseases later in life, you need to ensure that your child wears UV-protective eyewears especially when they are outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Eye doctors recommend buying sunglasses that have UV400 and 100% UVA and UVB Protection labels, which indicate that they protect against all UVA and UVB rays to keep them from penetrating deep into the eyes and causing damage to your kids’ eyesight.
If you are unsure whether a pair of shades actually have the ability to block all in visible light, then the best thing to do is to have an optometrist check it out. Apparently, there are false UV protection labels, so you may want to have an eye specialist test the UV protection of your kids’ sunglasses to be sure that it is providing the level of eye protection your toddler needs.
Consider larger-framed shades
The skin around the eyes is more delicate than the skin on the rest of the face, which is why it is more prone to skin cancer. To protect this sun-sensitive area, pick larger-framed shades for your kids, when possible.
By opting for a bigger frame that covers the eyes and the surrounding skin, you can ensure that the delicate eye area will not be left unprotected. Also, make sure that you get a frame that provides a secure fit to avoid the shades from slipping down and allowing UV rays on to the eyes and surrounding skin.
A wraparound frame is another good option, because it gives added protection by covering the skin around your toddler’s eye, and preventing sunlight, dust particles and wind from entering your kids’ eyes from the sides.
Look for sunglasses with polycarbonate lens
Polycarbonate lenses are great for kids’ Sunwear because they are durable, strong, and do not scratch or break easily. Polycarbonate is also lightweight, allowing your kids to enjoy various activities without getting frustrated at the eyewear you are making them wear. Let’s face it, children are not the biggest fans of anything that hinders their playtime, so it’s better to get them a lightweight, yet durable lens that is crafted for rough activities that kids enjoy doing.
Involve your kids
If your kids are willing to participate in shopping for their sunglasses, then, by all means, let them. Getting the kids involved will give them the freedom to choose from colorful frame styles to adult styles of sunglasses that allow them to recreate the look of their older siblings. Doing this ups the likelihood that your children will enjoy and wear the sunglasses that you will buy for them. With less convincing needed, you can rest assured that they will get in the habit of wearing sunglasses at an early age.