“What is the safe age for wearing sunglasses?”
We are heading for a beach vacation in the summers and I have a 4 year old daughter with me. I am curious to know if it is safe for her to wear sunglasses or does it have to wait it out. Are there any special considerations to be kept in mind when shopping for kiddie sunglasses?
13 Answers
All humans should wear sunglasses as early in age as possible. Like sunscreen.
Shilpi Pradhan
Ophthalmologist
Thank you for your question. Sunglasses are wonderful for all ages and especially important between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm when the suns rays are the strongest. The sunglasses should be 100% UVA and UVB blocking or those labeled UV 400.
Any age is a safe age for sunglasses.
There is no restriction for children to wear sunglasses. I would encourage it on a beach vacation. UV light has been shown to cause cancer on the skin and on the eye. Make sure the sunglasses have UVA, UVB, and UVC protection. It usually has it on a sticker or tag on the sunglasses. Also, make sure that the fit is good for the child as this may discourage wear. You may have to go to an optician with experience fitting children. The bridge of the nose is usually difficult to fit.
Cheers
Cheers
Absolutely! You definitely do not need to wait it out. The earlier the sun protection, the better especially nowadays when the ozone layer is thinning, the sun is more damaging to our eyes than ever before. Sun damage can cause early cataract. When shopping for kiddie or adult glasses alike, choosing one with 100% UV protection is best.
Wearing sunglasses protects from sun, wind and dust. It blocks ultraviolet and other harmful lights from the lens and retina. Anyone can use them.
It's always a good idea to protect your eyes from the sun at any age. Make sure the sunglasses fit properly and block UV rays.
It's never early enough to wear sunglasses. Get her a nice pair and start her early.
There are sunglasses with UV protection for all ages... I recommend wearing UV protection for all ages, especially when exposed to the sunlight for extended periods of time.
It is never too early to wear sunglasses make sure they fit well and absorb 100 percent of ultraviolet a and b wavelengths of light. It is a good habit to get into at a young age to protect eyes.
It is a good idea to start wearing glasses at age 3 to 4. Specially girls can handle it nicely and protect their eye from the sun damage.
Honestly, younger children are probably especially sensitive to the harmful effects of UV radiation so I commend you for even thinking about it. No, there is no issue regarding age for when they can be used. The real challenge will probably be getting her to keep them on. But if she doesn't mind wearing them, it will certainly be beneficial. Most sunglasses - except for the cheapest ones - are UV-blocking. If you want to be sure, buy them in an optical store where they have a UV-filtering device and they can tell you for sure.
Ilona Genis
Ophthalmologist
It is never too late to wear proper sunglasses. For kids, they need to be made out of polycarbonate, this material does not break, which is needed for kids.
