As every parent knows kids provide love, beauty, pride and frustration in equal measure. Any caregiver who has tried to feed a child Brussel Sprouts will experience all of these emotions in quick succession. The same applies to getting kids to put on clothing that is suitable for the outdoors – and the same challenges will quickly become apparent when trying to find kids sunglasses that provide protection for growing eyes – and also will encourage the child to actually wear them.
The challenges are not insurmountable – but both the selection of the right sunglasses and how to encourage their use may take some careful thought. Here are some considerations that are worth taking into account when trying to find the best kids sunglasses – and how to ensure that they are effective – after all if they are not worn they’re really just a waste of time and money.
UV rays have proven to be dangerous – not only because overexposure can lead to a variety of skin cancers, so we cover up and use sunscreen. What may be missing from the ideal sun protection formula is a great pair of sunglasses – and this is especially true when it comes to kids. The lack of a high-quality pair of sunglasses can lead to vision problems further down the line with issues such as cataracts and macular degeneration real possibilities.
So what sort of sunglasses are great for kids? Firstly the glasses should provide excellent protection from the harsh UVA and UVB rays. Secondly – the material used for the lenses is important. kids will be kids – and those lenses can come in for a lot of punishment. The ideal material is polycarbonate. It’s both impact and scratch resistant – and is light when compared to other materials used for lenses. Get a wider frame so that it can block out those peripheral rays and look for a frame that has spring hinged arms – they resist the rough and tumble better than the fixed versions.
So then we come to the vexing question of how to actually get the kids to wear those sunglasses – and keep them on for the course of the day. One of the best ways to set a good example. Kids will look to their caregivers as role models and will tend to mimic their behavior. Let your child help out with the selection of the glasses. At certain ages, they will opt for those with cartoon characters or other fun options. Just make sure that the sticker gives an indication of what percentage of UV rays are blocked – not just ‘Blocks UV’. Also, make sure that the sunglasses are manufactured by a reputable company (companies like the well known Ray Ban make some great kids sunglasses) – don’t skimp, it’s better to spend a little more than have to buy replacement pairs – or risk damage to the kid’s eyes.
If you want to find kids sunglasses that will deliver maximum protection and actually encourage the younger members of the family to wear those glasses, then do a little research – it will pay great dividends in the health of your child’s eyes.
