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This is a guest post from Alena Redwine, a Licensed Dispensing Optician (LDO). I’ve consulted with her on A.J.’s vision problems and eyewear and asked her to share some useful information with you. She’s sharing recommendations on summer eye protection for kids. Follow Alena’s blog ATL Eye Catcher.
Now that the weather is warm you’re spending more time outside with our kids. We remember the sunblock, the bug repellant and staying hydrated, but what about the eyes? Protecting your child’s eyes from harmful UV rays should also be a priority.
Most eye damage caused by UV rays is done by the age of 18. So it is important to protect your child’s eyes at a young age to prevent problems when they are older. Some problems include cataracts and macular degeneration when they are older. So what should you look for in eyewear for kids?
When choosing sunglasses for children or yourself, wrap frames seem to work better for blocking the UV rays from all directions. This provides full protection of the eyes. Also making sure that your eyewear has 100% UV protection is extremely important. This allows for full absorption of rays and helps to prevent eye disease as you or your child gets older.
If your child already wears prescription glasses you may want to look into getting photochromatic lens. Photochromatic lens change to dark when you are outside and when you come back indoors they become clear again. This is a convenient choice if you do not want to keep up with several pairs of eyewear. Another option is to get eyewear that comes with clip-on sunglasses. Some frames come with magnetic clip-ons and others have an actual clip that you can attach on the glasses. This is also a least expensive route to try if you do not want to purchase a separate pair of eyewear.
Protecting your child’s health is important through out the year but summer seems to be the time where most kids get the most damage done to their little bodies. So be sure that you include sun eyewear to your list when preparing for outdoor activities this summer.
Where do you buy your family’s eyewear? A discount store? Eye glass office? Online?
What age should kids start wearing sunglasses and any tips on how to keep them on younger kids who may be resistant to them at first?
That’s a great question Jessica! Most Doctors recommend getting children eyes check as young as 6months. The exam can be done by a pediatrician and If they see any problems they will send you to an Opthamologist who can see what and if their are any issues. As far as keeping them on if you have younger kids I recommend getting cable temples that wrap around their ears so it is harder to take them off. If they are a bit older and don’t want to wear glasses I always recommend letting them pick out their own eyewear as that seems to make them wear their glasses a bit longer. I also recommend letting them choose a nice case to keep them in as well.
I usually get my glasses at Target. It’s the easiest place for me to grab an appointment!
Target is one of the many places to get eyewear just be sure to get the best options for your eyes. UV protection, and impact resistant lens are very important features to get when purchasing eyewear.