Kids, Infants, & Youth Sunglasses

Protecting your children's eyes with kids sunglasses By now, most people know that wearing sunglasses is a simple way to protect your eyes from harmful rays. However, we often overlook the importance of children wearing them. Kids need protection too Kids, just like adults, need the protection sunglasses offer. In fact, when you consider the amount of time children spend outdoors in direct sunlight you could even argue that children need them even more. Many ophthalmologists advise parents to make kids sunglasses a habit for children early on, just like they would with bathing or brushing their teeth. A good rule of thumb is to start having your child wear a pair once they can be exposed to the sun for long periods, which is six months of age.

What to look for in a pair of kids sunglasses

While the amount of protection a pair of kids sunglasses offers your child is often the most important factor to consider when purchasing a pair, there are a few other ones to consider.

Protection: Often times the information on protection is posted directly on the lens. However, if that's not the case, ask a sales associate or contact your local ophthalmologist. Ideally, you want a pair that features 99 or 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Proper fit: In order to get your child to actually wear a pair of kids sunglasses on a regular basis, you need to make sure they are secure and comfortable. With most children, you can find a good fit just by having them try several different pairs on and asking them how they feel. For younger children, this might not work and you may need some assistance from your ophthalmologist or a sales professional.

Safety: While most youth sunglasses are designed with a child in mind, it is still a good idea to consider their overall safety. For example, most sunglass lenses are impact resistant, but not necessarily shatterproof. For this reason, you may want to try to find a pair that feature polycarbonate lenses because they are typically stronger.