At the beach, in the mountains or for a walk in town, the eyes of our little ones should ideally be protected from UV rays. To choose a model that is safe, sturdy, comfortable and to keep on the nose, follow the guide.
The eyes of babies and children are fragile and particularly sensitive to UV rays. The structure of their eye is not mature before the age of 12 and does not filter well this harmful radiation that penetrates to the retina and destroys their long-term capital. UVA rays can even cause “eye surface sunburn” otherwise known as UV keratitis. To protect them, several precautions are better than one: stay in the shade under the parasol, avoid any exposure between noon and 4 p.m., wear a wide-brimmed hat or a cap that protects the face, and sunglasses. Here are some tips for choosing them well.
Better to choose a specialist
Nothing replaces the sound advice and expertise of an optician when it comes to buy prescription sunglasses! Some are even specialists for children. This professional is trained to identify the protective lenses and frames best suited to your child’s facial morphology and age. Do not hesitate to tell him your destination (sea, mountain, trip to the tropics) and the planned activity (sport, hiking, beach, etc.).
Find an optician
No compromise on the quality of the glasses!
Sunglasses lenses are not all created equal and, in this regard, beware of gadget glasses! The priority is to achieve 100% UV filtering. Indeed, until the age of 12, the lens is still immature and cannot fully filter light. Before buying, we always check the presence of the CE mark and the E-SPF (Eye-Sun Protection Factor) index by choosing the highest: 50+. If you go to the sea or the mountains, the reverberation is more important. And we therefore favor a shade of intensity 3 or 4 (in case of extreme sunshine). Most children’s sunglasses today are made from plastic or polycarbonate, a light and strong material that is ultra-resistant to impact.
Bet on the comfort of the frame
The frame must be wide and enveloping enough not to let UV rays pass to the side. Instead, choose a shapely model:
Since babies aged 0 to 3 do not have a nasal bridge, the frames often have a rounded shape to adapt to their small nose. Extra-flexible, most are coated with silicone to prevent slipping and have no nose pad. The branches are rather straight so as not to interfere with their ears, the maintenance being done by temporal pressure. Some manufacturers also offer a model with an adjustable elastic band system.
From 3 to 6 years old, a key word is essential: comfort! Choose flexible, lightweight frames with flexible, shatterproof temples. They must be able to withstand shocks or drops.
For older children, a semi-rigid frame will do the trick. Robust, the frames must fit well on the nose and behind the ears to adapt to sporting activities. Also consider the cord so that they do not get lost quickly.
What if your child already wears prescription glasses?
Is your child nearsighted, hyperopic or astigmatic and wears corrective lenses at all times? From 6-8 years old, the easiest and most practical is to have them wear sunglasses when they can see them. You can also adopt photochromic lenses, a practical option for complete protection! The glasses, clear on the inside, are tinted on the outside depending on the brightness.
Involve your child in the purchase
In order for your child to like his sunglasses (and wear them), it is best to choose them with him. Patterned, colored or with the effigy of the superheroes he prefers … No doubt you will find something to satisfy him!
Header image source: piqsels
