Kids are the best mimickers of their parents. They want to copy each act of their mom and dad. If mom is wearing heels, the little princess will do the same. Similarly, during outdoor summer trips when you wear sunglasses, your little one is also excited about wearing them. And the mom’s concern is, ‘Do my kids need sunglasses?’. If yes, what type of sunglasses are good or bad for kids?

Also, school-going children spend most of their time in sports activities. You remember applying sunscreen for their skin protection. But what do you do for the protection of their eyes?

Let’s clear all of these queries in this post. So, keep reading till the end.

Do Kids Need Sunglasses?

Yes, your kids also need to wear sunglasses. The invisible electromagnetic radiations emitting from the sun are called UV rays. These rays are further classified into UVA and UVB rays. The kids’ eyes can’t filter these harmful rays as they are not fully developed. As a consequence, children’s eyes are more vulnerable to damage by harmful UV rays.

In addition, the skin around your little one’s eyes is too delicate and sensitive to UV rays. The increased sunlight exposure can cause long-term eye problems in children such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Also, they may suffer blurred vision and snow blindness. Moreover, 80% of eye damage caused by UV rays happens before they turn 18.

Therefore, wearing good quality sunglasses that can provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays is crucial for the eyes’ health of your kids. It is hard for toddlers under 2 to wear glasses. However, children of age 3 and above should wear sun-protective lenses.

What Type of Sunglasses are Best for Kids?

Most parents get confused about the selection of the best one when buying kids’ sunglasses. So, don’t worry. The below-mentioned tips will be extremely helpful if you consider them before purchasing.

100 % UV Protection: The main purpose of the sunglasses is to block 100% UV rays. So, select a pair of lenses that can provide maximum UV protection (99-100%). You can buy photochromic lenses if your kids wear prescription glasses. These are also called transition lenses as they can automatically change to dark in the presence of sunlight. Or purchase another pair for them with tinted polycarbonate lenses.

Choose a Large Frame: Select a large frame as it will also block the peripheral sunlight rays coming from the sides. Wider temples can not only protect eyelids, and the delicate skin around the eyes but also prevent sand and dust from entering your kids’ eyes.

Avoid Purchasing Cheap Fashion Sunglasses: Kids love styling and fashion. If you allow them to select a pair of glasses for themselves, they’ll surely pick a fancy one. Mostly, these sunglasses are of no use in terms of blocking UV rays. Plus, they produce reflective glare that can be damaging for your kids’ eyes.

Make sure to purchase the lenses that are proved to pass the American National Standards Institute's guideline ANSI Z80.3. High-quality sunglasses are also available in a variety of styles.

Prefer Rubberized Frames: Rubberized frames are durable and unbreakable. Moreover, these are lightweight, bendable, and flexible. Also, they are comfortable for your kids.

Check for Durability: You can’t expect your children to be gentle with their glasses. That’s why you should select impact-resistant polycarbonate glasses with scratch-proof lenses. Polycarbonate lenses provide 100% UV protection.

Are Polarized Glasses Good for Kids?

Most low-quality sunglasses produce a reflective glare that is uncomfortable for kids. Therefore, kids can’t see clearly in the sunlight and are reluctant to keep shades on. You can avoid this problem by purchasing polarized glasses for them.

You might be thinking what is meant by polarized glasses? In polarized glasses, a polarized lens is used that blocks bright reflected light known as glare.

Normally, sun rays tend to spread in all directions. But when these rays hit a flat surface, they reflect and travel in horizontal directions. It means that these reflected rays have become polarized. Polarized glasses filter these rays, reduce glare, and improve visibility.

The intensity of reflected light is extremely high near the water bodies. So, while planning vacations, especially on the beach or river trips, make sure to purchase a pair of polarized glasses for your kids.

Tips to Encourage Kids to Wear and Care for Their Sunglasses

• Select good quality glasses and let your kids pick one pair of their choice. In this way, they won’t forget to wear sunglasses while going outside.

• Toddlers are crazy to pull glasses off. Use elastic bands for them. These bands will provide a snug fit and allow your little one to play hand-free comfortably. Plus, get a pair with spring hinges that can flex outwards when pulled.

• Set an example of keeping your sunglasses back in the case in front of your kids. Also, encourage them to do the same when they are in school. For younger kids, parents should be vigilant to keep their glasses in a safer place.

Hopefully, now you understand why kids should wear sunglasses. Keep observing and asking them if they feel any discomfort while putting shades on. In addition to sunglasses, your children should wear wide-brimmed hats and apply sunscreen for extra UV protection.

Writer: Meenaas