Sunglasses and sun protection for children's eyes

• Sun damage accumulates over a lifetime, so it’s important to start healthy habits for sun protection from a young age.
• Wearing sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and staying in the shade are good practices for protecting your child from sun exposure.
• Ensure you pick the right pair of sunglasses – opt for lenses that provide optimum vision and protection while outdoors, and frames that are comfortable for your child to wear.

Time spent outdoors is thought to have many benefits for growing children both physically and mentally.¹ 

Outdoor play is also encouraged because it helps protect the eyes against developing myopia (near-sightedness), but more time outside also means more exposure to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays.² 

Children’s eyes absorb UV radiation more easily than adults’ eyes, which makes them more vulnerable to sun damage. 

Long-term exposure to UV light is linked to developing eye conditions such as cataract and pterygium in adulthood.³ UV rays can also damage the skin, with effects ranging from sunburn to an increased risk of skin cancers like melanoma later in life. 

Since this damage builds over a lifetime, practicing good habits to manage sun exposure during childhood is important. 

Parents can take simple but effective steps to protect their children from excessive sun exposure while still encouraging outdoor play, including:

1. Wearing sunglasses
2. Wearing a hat
3. Playing in the shade
4. Using sunscreen

Sunglasses are particularly important because they provide direct UV protection for the eyes themselves. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat helps shield both the face and eyes, while wearing lightweight, breathable clothing with good coverage can protect the skin. Playing in shaded areas, especially during midday when UV levels are strongest, limits direct sun exposure without compromising on outdoor time. 

Sunscreen is another essential part of sun protection to protect the skin from premature aging and skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapplying every 2 hours.

Not all sunglasses provide the same level of protection, so it’s important to know what to look for. Lens quality matters, as sunglasses should provide maximum sun protection while providing good quality vision with minimal glare.

Below are some things to consider.

You want to pick a pair of sunglasses that have lenses that protect against UV. 

This may seem obvious, but not every pair of sunglasses actually provide UV protection – some sunglasses are just for looks! 

To ensure you pick a pair that provides 100% UV protection, read the label and make sure you purchase them from a reputable retailer. Labels with ‘100% UV protection,’ ‘UV400,’ or ‘UV40’ mean they block 99-100% of UV.

Sunglass lenses are graded into categories based on the degree of tinting. 

There are 5 categories from 1 to 5 – 1 is the lightest level tint and 5 is the darkest. 

Most sunglasses are category 2 or 3, to balance a good level of light protection without being too dark to see through. In contrast, category 1 is too light to provide shading for sunny days, while category 4 and 5 are very dark and have reduced visibility.

Polarized lenses filter out excessive rays of light that can disrupt vision, thereby improving eye comfort and vision quality. 

Therefore, polarized lenses are beneficial to people whose eyes are sensitive to glare, as well as those who want to see more colour contrast while outdoors (e.g. sports). 

Due to the way that polarized lenses filter out light, it is normal for electronic displays to appear more dull than usual.

Sunglasses lenses can accommodate prescription lenses for the clearest possible vision. If your child requires prescription lenses, optical stores and optometry practices are equipped to supply tinted prescription lenses.

Picking the right pair of frames can be tricky – they’re not just a fashion statement! Comfortable and well-fitting frames are equally important for ensuring children actually wear their sunglasses.

Below are some things to consider.

It’s important to pick a pair of sunglasses that are appropriately sized for children’s faces. 

Frames should be comfortable to wear, and be able to sit securely on your child’s nose and around the ears.

Sunglasses that are too wide will stick out from the sides of their head, and may not provide good side coverage from sunlight.

Your child is more likely to wear a pair of sunglasses that they like, so make sure they are happy with how it looks! 

Many sunglasses manufacturers for kids incorporate cartoons and superheroes into their designs – so you can find a pair that matches your child’s interests.