There is a strong consensus among doctors and medical researchers that children need to use sunglasses. It is important to protect young eyes, as kids tend to spend more time outdoors than adults, and their eyes are more sensitive.
However, not all shades are created equal, so it is necessary to know what to look for when shopping for sunglasses if you are going to protect your children’s eyes from vision problems, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, in the future.
Recommended Features for Kids’ Sunglasses
There are a few features you should look out for in kids’ sunglasses to protect young eyes sufficiently:
- UV protection. Sunglasses should block between 99 and 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Before purchasing, check that shades specify exactly how much UV protection they provide.
- Shatterproof lenses. The strongest lens material is polycarbonate, which offers up to 10 times more resistance than any other type of plastic. In addition, the material is very light weight, making it extra comfortable.
- Spring hinges. Another way to improve comfort is with spring hinges that extend by more than 90 degrees. By improving the fit of shades, such hinges avoid sunglasses falling off and becoming damaged.
- Impact-resistant frames. Your best option for frames is a flexible material that will not break upon impact, and therefore protects the eyes and face from potential injury.
- Oversize frames. Large frames that sit close to the face do not just offer the best UV protection, they also prevent dust or dirt entering the eyes.
- Elastic band. A band on the back of shades allows kids to secure sunglasses during sports or other outdoor activities and to keep shades safe when not in use. This can be particularly useful for children who are prone to losing their possessions.
The shades in the Real Kids collection fulfill all of the above criteria. Check out our range of styles to find the perfect pair for your child.