We all know that sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory, premium sunglasses have superior quality filters that can block extreme sunlight and also protect our eyes from harmful rays. Sunlight has UV rays and blue light also known as high-energy visible light (HEV), together they create stress and cause various eye problems like photokeratitis, cancer, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and Pterygium— normally called “surfer’s eye.
We generally see adults wearing shades, but how often do we see kids wearing sunglasses? Rarely, isn’t it? Out of the 73% of adults who wear shades, 58% inspire their kids to wear sunglasses. Since children are careless, most parents prefer inexpensive sunglasses, they think why do kids need expensive sunglasses? However, according to ophthalmologists and researchers, the answer to this question is a definite “Yes” because children’s eyes are more sensitive to UV rays and they are at more risk as compared to adults. Also, they have much larger pupils and clearer lenses that can allow nearly 70% more UV rays and HEV to reach the retina. Moreover, children spend more time outdoors and by the time they reach the age of 18, they receive almost half of a person’s lifetime UV exposure! According to recent research, on an average, if a child spends nearly five hours outdoor every day during the summer, the chances of getting AMD to increase up to 50% by the time they reach early adulthood. Also, kids with light-colored eyes are mainly at risk since they have a lesser amount of pigment in their iris and have a more light-sensitive retina. This will allow harmful radiation to enter deep into their eyes. Hence, their parents must be aware of this fact and provide vigilant protection. This is the reason why children must wear shades whenever they go outside during the summer season. Thus, we can say that no matter what the age, we need a good pair of premium sunglasses to protect our eyes from harmful UV rays.
What kind of sunglasses are best for kids?
Avoid cheap sunglasses for kids, they can pose serious health issues as it contains an unacceptable level of lead which is hazardous! Besides, they are made up of low-quality plastics that are not as durable as compared to premium or luxury sunglasses. Protecting your kid’s vision is not a hard task as you might think. Make them aware of the harmful effects of UV rays and follow these simple tips while buying sunglasses for kids:
- Always buy premium sunglasses for your child, don’t bother about the cost, it’s a one-time investment for them and their eyes are more valuable than money!
- We recommend sunglasses that completely cover the eye area. An ideal pair of shades must bear an EPF (eye protection factor) of at least 10, which means more the EPF, better the sunglasses, and greater the protection. Select tinted lenses that can block up to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
- The lens should be made up of polycarbonate material that has 10 times high impact resistance than standard plastic lenses and can provide excellent UV protection up to 100% without any added filters or coating.
- Let your child select thecolour and design of the shades that they like to wear.
- An elastic band attached to the end of each temple can help prevent loss or falling off during sports activities.
