the future’s bright, we gotta wear shades
Filed Under Tips & Tricks | July 19, 2010
After our article on hearing safety last Monday we wanted to start this week with an article on eye health and why sunglasses are a necessary accessory for kids, not just a stylish addition to their summer wardrobes. We’ve touched on this briefly before but we thought it was worth getting a little more in depth.
Our eyes are ten times more sensitive to UV light than our skin and UV exposure when you’re young can cause cataracts, age related macular degeneration and other retinal diseases. Since children’s eyes have bigger pupils and clearer lenses than our eyes do, they let in up to 70% more UV light. It take about 25 years for their eyes to develop a mature capacity for ocular protection, so it’s important to get them into the habit of wearing sunglasses as early as possible. Plus sunglasses can provide general eye protection for active kids.
When you’re looking for shades for your tots cost is not the key factor, instead focus on the numbers. Look for sunglasses that block our 99% to 100% of UV radiation and block out both UVA and UVB rays with polycarbonate lenses that are more durable and scratch resistent. It’s also important that they fit well – otherwise your kids won’t keep them on – and don’t let light in from the sides.
And sunglasses aren’t just a summer accessory, our eyes need protection year round. Water, sand and snow all reflect UV light and a good rule of thumb is to put on the shades as soon as the sun comes out, no matter what season it is, or wear them whenever the UV rating is three or higher. Environment Canada publishes a daily Canadian UV forecast which is a handy reference.
As for brands we’re partial to Australia’s Baby Banz (they know a thing or two about sun safety there), Julbo’s sporty (but not cheap) shades and those from Mountain Equipment Co-Op.
And sunglasses offer you yet another opportunity to model good habits for your tots. Monkey see, monkey do.
General Eye Health Info from Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc
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One Response to “the future’s bright, we gotta wear shades”
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Thanks for doing an article on this topic. This is something I am passionate about. I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen people pushing strollers uncovered, a child riding inside with no hat and sunglasses and the parents have hats and sunglasses on! Obviously they feel more comfortable not squinting into the sun, why not afford their kids the same luxury?
That said, I think it is fair to say that wearing hats and sunglasses does not come naturally to children, but than neither does brushing their teeth or moderating their sugar intake.
Kids wearing glasses comes down to a few simple things. Kids are more likely to keep glasses on if they fit well. I have seen plenty that don’t and they end up at the bottom of the sandbox because it’s too much work to keep them on, and the kids are constantly reminded of them at each adjustment. When they fit well, they are like a second skin, you forget about them. Secondly, it requires some training.
How early should kids start wearing sunglasses? Infants should be wearing them as soon as they are out in direct sunlight.This is also a great time to get kids used to the glasses, before they can start taking them off themselves. Kids will take them off just like they take hats off. In my experience the earlier you start the better and you just need to keep telling them that if they want to play outside they need to keep their hat/sunglasses on.
While sunglasses are important in all kinds of weather, it is important to note that being on snow or water seriously increases the potential for damage.
Certain types of surface that increase the risks:
• laboured soil reverberates 15%
• water 20%
• light-coloured sand 35%,
• snow 85%”