Contrary to popular belief, sunglasses are not just a beautiful accessory, but protect your eyes from the bright sun. And such glasses are needed not only for adults, but also for children.
Sunglasses on the beach are as much a must as a panama hat or a high SPF sunscreen, but you need to choose them carefully. At what age do children need sun glasses, how to choose them correctly?
How to choose sunglasses for a child / istockphoto.com
Manufacturers offer sunglasses for children from one year old, but ophthalmologists recommend buying them baby, when he is already aware of what kind of accessory it is and how to properly handle it, that is, after about 3 years.
Please note that if you are going to a southern country with an aggressive sun (Turkey, Egypt), you cannot do without glasses, but it is important to choose the right ones. Cheap glasses can only do harm, as they absolutely do not protect against ultraviolet radiation, and can also cause vision problems. It is also dangerous to be in the sun without glasses, ophthalmologists equate 40 minutes spent in the sun without glasses to two hours in front of the TV. So, what to look for when choosing sunglasses for a child?
UV Protection
How to choose sunglasses for a child / istockphoto.com
Children need glasses specifically to protect their eyes from ultraviolet radiation, so they must have a UV marking. And the more this protection is, the better, the optimal range is 320-390 nanometers.
Lens material
Children are very mobile, so models with glasses can be dangerous, as there is a risk of breaking the lenses if they fall. It is best to choose high-quality plastic lenses, models made of polycarbonate and trivex. They are very durable and in no way inferior to glass.
Lens color
Many people think that the darker the color of the lenses, the more reliable the protection, but this is far from the case. Too dark glasses do not always provide maximum protection, and the child may also experience discomfort when taking them off indoors, as the eyes get used to the natural color for a long time.
It is best to choose the color of the lenses, focusing on the iris of the eye, for example, brown, gray, green. And unnatural colors: pink, purple, red distort visual perception and negatively affect the nervous system of the crumbs.
Quality frame
How to choose sunglasses for a child / istockphoto.com
The main rule of a quality frame is its convenience, the child should not feel discomfort, the glasses should not slide down on the nose, the kid should generally forget that he is wearing glasses.
When choosing a frame, focus not on beauty, but on how comfortable the child is in them, how they fit to the face and stay on it. The classic frame with flexible arms is suitable for children from 5 years old, but for kids it is better to buy glasses with an elastic band, the length of which can be easily adjusted.
In addition, pay attention to the material from which the frame is made, it must be hypoallergenic, for example, Kevlar or titanium. Also keep in mind that you can’t do without trying on, so it’s better not to experiment and order glasses on the Internet.
Proven manufacturer
High-quality glasses are sold in specialized stores, pharmacies or opticians, but not in markets or mass-market stores. There are not so many quality brands that produce glasses for children and they are not cheap, but in this case you pay for the health of your child. By purchasing low-quality glasses, you can save money, but harm children's eyesight and then spend much more on treatment.
You will also be interested to know about how to understand that a child is allergic to the sun and what to do about it
