Tag: kids sunglasses

UV Protection for Children

Karen Griffith

Babies, children and young adults have more transparent lenses in their eyes and more sensitive skin on their bodies. As a result, they are more susecptible to the adverse effects of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The negative effects of cumulative UV light exposure may not show up until later in life.
At 20 years of age, the average person has received 80% of their life’s UV exposure. This is why it is critical to protect our children’s eyes from the sun, beginning from their birth and continuing throughout their childhood.

For 13 Reasons Children should wear sunglasses, click here.

babiator boy

Westside Optometry has Babiator  sunglasses for infants and children. These sunglasses, designed especially for kids, come in 2 sizes and 10 colors. They have an amazing guarantee for loss and breakage.

 

The Benefits of Protecting Young Eyes from the Sun

admin

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from direct sunlight and reflected sunlight. The direct exposure is more intense at higher altitudes and between 9 and 3 during the summer. Reflected light accounts for 50% of UV radiation and is most intense from snow, water and sand.
Children’s eyes are particularly susceptible to damage from sun:

  • Children spend more time outdoors. In fact they receive 80% of their lifetime UV exposure before the age of 20 years.
  • More UV radiation is transmitted through the young crystalline lens to the retina. The tissues are clear and don’t block as much light.
  • Babiators

Most children don’t experience photophobia or sensitivity to light. Wearing sunglasses needs to be a habit just like riding in a car seat or wearing a bike helmet. Children don’t want to wear a helmet, but it is required, just as sunglasses should be required.  The use of good UV blocking sunglasses prevents cumulative damage  to the eyes.

Sun Protection

admin

It is important to protect our eyes from the sun. Excessive Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can do significant damage to bodily tissues, including the eyes. Proper protection of the eyes includes a combination of reducing exposures, using caps and visors with a wide brim, in addition to ophthalmic protection (sunglasses and/or UV blocking contact lenses).

Only 6% of Americans know they need sun protection for their eyes. Fortunately, 73% of adults wear sunglasses. What about the kids? Less than 44% of children wear sunglasses. It is more important for children to wear sunglasses than adults. Here are 13 reasons why children should wear sunglasses:

  1. The lens of the child’s eye transmits about 70% more UV than the adult eye, putting their retina at a larger risk.
  2. The cells of the lens of the eye are never replaced; the proteins of the lens are never replenished. The lens cannot repair itself;  Sunglasses in the Pooldamage accumulates over a lifetime causing cataracts and other eye conditions.
  3. Kids under 10 are at a higher risk for both skin and eye damage, because their skin and eyes are more fragile.
  4. Children are outdoors much more than adults, therefore it is likely that over 1/2 of their life exposure to the sun will occur within the first 20 years of their life.
  5. Very bright sunlight – reflected off sand, snow, water  or the pavement – can cause immediate damage to the cornea.
  6. Kids look up more, which means they are constantly looking into the sun.
  7. It is up to adults to train their children about the damage sun can do. Like wearing seat-belts and bike helmets; children can be taught about sunglasses, but only if they have them.
  8. Children will not recognize the injury or damage of a sunburn on the eye like they do with a sunburn of the skin.
  9. The long-term effects of sunburned eyes are cumulative and not completely reversible. The development of  cataract, pterygium and macular degeneration begin with childhood UV exposure.
  10. Hats only protect from above, not below, where reflected UV from water, sand or concrete can do a lot of damage.
  11. With ozone depletion our children are at greater risk of UV exposure than we were growing up.
  12. The variety of sunglasses for kids make them easy and comfortable to wear. Quality sunglasses provide 100% UV protection. Westside Optometry carries Babiators sunglasses for infants and children.
  13. Sunglasses are cool.