Children may not be as interested as adults are in wearing sunglasses as a fashion accessory. But because kids spend so much time outdoors in direct sunlight, they need sun protection even more than adults.
In fact, some experts say we get up to 80% of our lifetime exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the time we’re 18 years old.
You should have no trouble finding sunglasses your child will enjoy wearing. Children’s sunglasses are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes. And virtually any children’s frame can be transformed into sunglasses by adding prescription or non-prescription sun lenses.
Metal frames are very popular for children’s sunglasses because of their durability. Wraparound styles like those worn by adults are also popular in scaled-down versions for kids. Because they fit closer to the face than traditional frame styles, wraparound sunglasses provide superior UV protection not only for your child’s eyes but for the delicate skin around their eyes as well.
The most important thing when choosing children’s sunglasses is to make sure the lenses block 100% of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The harmful effects of UV radiation are cumulative over our lifetime. By limiting your youngster’s exposure to UV rays during childhood, you may be decreasing their risk of cataracts and other eye problems when they become adults.
Polycarbonate lenses are great for kids’ sunglasses because they have 100% UV protection built-in, and they are lighter and much more impact-resistant than lenses made of other materials. And they can be tinted to nearly any shade.
Photochromic polycarbonate lenses are a good choice for kids who need prescription eyewear. These lenses darken automatically when exposed to the sun’s UV rays and then quickly return to a clear state indoors – so one pair of eyeglasses does the job of two! They also provide 100% UV protection.
Mainely Eyes
(207) 945-3937
M, T, TH, F 9-6
WED 9am-5pm
SAT & SUN Closed
Goldthwait Vision Care
(207) 945-4452
M, T, TH, F 9am-5pm
WED 8:30am-4pm
SAT & SUN Closed
>> Please note that holidays and staffing may affect our hours – if traveling, we suggest calling in advance to confirm.
Mainely Eyes
(207) 945-3937
M, T, TH, F 9-6
WED 9am-5pm
SAT & SUN Closed
Goldthwait Vision Care
(207) 945-4452
M, T, TH, F 9am-5pm
WED 8:30am-4pm
SAT & SUN Closed
