It’s not only a child’s skin that’s more prone to UV damage – the same goes for eyes. In general, the younger the child is, the more sensitive their eyes are. Since their vision is still developing, the eye’s lens can’t filter out UV rays as well as in older kids or adults, therefore making younger children more prone to damage from the sun’s radiation.
This is why it’s so important for babies and toddlers to wear sunglasses. In general, it’s recommended that infants wear sunglasses whenever they’re exposed to sunlight, whether directly or indirectly. But not every pair of sunglasses is created equally.
When shopping for a pair of sunnies for your baby or toddler, keep the following in mind to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Adequate Sun Protection
The main point of wearing sunglasses is to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays. So, it should go without saying that one of the most important thing when choosing a pair of sunnies is ensuring it offers adequate protection from the sun.
What to Expect explains that your child’s sunglasses should have at least 99% protection from UVA and UVB rays. Just because a pair of sunglasses has dark lenses doesn’t mean it offers adequate protection. Rather, you need to look for the specific percentage of UV rays the lenses can filter out.
It's also ideal to choose polarized lenses. Be warned that polarized lenses don’t offer more protection from UV rays – you still need to ensure the lenses offer at least 99% protection or higher. But polarized lenses are helpful in reducing glare from the sun, thereby making it easier to see on sunny days. These are ideal for kids who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Look For Durable Material
While adult sunglasses are supported mainly by the nose, a child’s nose isn’t fully developed, especially the younger they are. They require frames that are supported primarily by the ears and head, otherwise the frames are going to slip off and become a nuisance.
Today’s Parent explains the ideal material for children’s sunglasses is polycarbonate. Compared to other materials, it’s more impact resistant. Polycarbonate tends to be lighter, thus offering more comfort to your child, especially if they need to wear the frames for a long time.
Additionally, some children’s sunglasses feature shatter-resistant lenses. This is preferable whenever possible. In the rare event that your child’s sunglasses break, shatterproof lenses will prevent the glass from breaking apart into tiny pieces, which is a bigger danger the younger your child is.
You may also find children’s sunglasses with scratch-resistant lenses, which is another good feature to opt for to help the sunglasses last as long as possible.
Ensure A Comfortable Fit
You want to ensure your child’s sunglasses fit their face well. It shouldn’t be too snug to the point where it leaves marks on your child’s face, or they complain about the fit. But they shouldn’t be too loose, given the risk they’ll fall off and get lost or broken.
In general, it’s better to choose a larger frame for a children’s pair of sunglasses. The wider the sunglasses are, the more protection they offer your child’s eyes and skin. It can also help keep out sand and dirt when your child is playing outside.
Some children’s sunglasses have features to help the frames stay on your child’s face. For instance, sunglasses with a strap are good options for babies that are crawling or walking, as the strap will keep the frames secure on your child, so they won’t get lost.
Let Your Child Choose A Style
Even if you find a great pair of children’s sunglasses, it can be a challenge to get your kid to keep them on their face. The younger your child is, the more resistant they may be to wearing sunglasses. And you can’t expect a baby or toddler to understand the importance of protecting your eyes from the sun.
To help your child get excited about wearing sunglasses, allow them to decide on the style. Once you’ve narrowed down some high-quality options, allow your child to make the final decision. Hint: they’re going to be more attracted to frames that feature a favorite cartoon character or color.
Or go for sunglasses that allow your child to customize the look depending on how their style changes. Pair Eyewear recommends choosing a basic base frame and then switching the lenses up. Keep a few lens options on hand to give your child a choice – feeling in control will help motivate your toddler to keep their sunglasses on.
We encourage you to speak to your child’s doctor or optometrist for more information on choosing the best pair of sunglasses depending on their needs and age.
Sources: What to Expect, Today’s Parent, Pair Eyewear,