Important Reasons To Make Your Children Wear Sunglasses

Are you the parents of a young child? Are you wondering whether it's worth replacing their sunglasses after they lose them or if you just let them go without? While it can be annoying to keep replacing lost eyewear, here are some reasons why sunglasses are important accessories for children:

Help prevent cataracts: While most cells in your body will be replaced over time, the same cannot be said of the lenses in your eyes. The lenses that you are born with are the same lenses that you will have for your entire life. Giving your child UV-blocking sunglasses can promote lifelong good habits of protecting his or her eyes. Starting your children on a habit of wearing good eyewear outside can help them avoid cataract surgery as adults.

Prevent blindness: You may be tempted to tell your child to put away his or her sunglasses when summer ends. However, the need for proper eyewear doesn't stop simply because the weather gets colder. Sunglasses are especially important if you live in an area that experiences snow. Although snow blindness is usually a temporary condition, it can be painful and require rest for several days. If you have an active child, it can be difficult to keep them quiet so that they can recover properly. In addition, snow reflects most of the UV light that hits it, potentially causing even more damage to your child's eyes in the winter than in the summer. 

Stop sunburns: Did you know that it's possible for eyes to become sunburned? Unlike with normal skin, your child probably won't notice any pain from sunburned eyes. But because children are shorter than adults and have to look up more, they may get more sun exposure on their eyes than their parents do. Just as you probably wouldn't allow your child to go outside for extended periods without sunscreen on places like their back and arms, UV-blocking eyewear is essential in preventing sunburns on their eyes. Repeated sunburns can cause a buildup of scar tissue and also result in cataracts.

Hats are not enough: You may be tempted to give your child a hat with a wide brim and call it a day. However, a hat only provides partial protection. Unlike UV-blocking eyewear, a hat does nothing to protect your child from reflected UV rays. If you at the beach or a pool, the UV light that gets reflected by the water is still a danger. White, reflective, concrete can also be an issue. Instead of just putting a hat on them, make sure that they have properly fitting sunglasses to wear.