Does your baby need sunglasses?
Are "baby sunglasses" just a fad or do babies really need sunglasses?
Yes, you definitely should protect your infant's or young child's eyes from the sun with baby sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV protection.
Most long-term damage to our eyes from UV rays is related to cumulative exposure — how much our eyes are exposed to sunlight and other UV radiation sources over the course of our lifetime. So, it’s wise to start protecting your child's eyes from UV as early in life as possible.
Also, the lens inside a baby's eye allows more solar radiation to pass through it and reach the retina than the lens of an adult eye. Making sure your baby wears sunglasses that block 100 percent UV and filter high-energy visible blue light this may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration later in life.
Baby sunglasses should also include lightweight polycarbonate lenses for comfort and impact resistance.
To protect your child's delicate facial skin from the sun, always follow the Cancer Council Australia or Cancer Society New Zealand guidelines.
It's certainly better to be safe than sorry when it comes to eye health — even if the payoff of purchasing baby sunglasses for your child may not be apparent for decades to come.
Consult your optometrist to choose the best sunglasses for your baby or young child to give them a lifetime of good vision.
Page published on Wednesday, 18 March 2020
