Protect Young Children's Eyes From Sun's Rays With Sunglasses

By Nick Rees

Prevent Blindness America has warned that children are particularly vulnerable to harmful damage from exposure to ultraviolet A and B, which can accompany sun exposure.

According to a cautionary finding by the American Optometric Association, the lenses of children's eyes are more transparent that those of adults, putting children at a higher risk for retinal exposure to a greater degree of short wavelength light.

*It is important for parents to recognize that  the effects of solar radiation damage to the eye may be cumulative and increase the risk of developing an ocular disorder such as cataracts or macular degeneration later in life," Dr. Deena Leonard, a top rated Pediatric Ophthalmologist in Chicago, said.

To guard children against the dangerous UV rays that reflect off of everything from water to sand to pavement and even snow, Prevent Blindness America has advised that everyone going out into the sun wear sunglasses that are designed to block out 99 percent to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

"We need to remember to protect our eyes from UV every day of the year," Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America, said in a news release.

Sunglasses that do not carry such blocking abilities, the group warns, can cause the pupils to dilate and do more harm than good.

"I encourage all children to wear appropriate eye wear to protect from the sun's harmful rays," Dr. Leonard said. "For those children who wear prescription glasses, I recommend to parents that they order transition lenses for their children. These lenses darken when exposed to bright light, provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection and allow for one pair of glasses rather than separate indoor and sunglass prescription lenses. The best part, the kids think these transition lenses are 'cool.'"

Sunglasses need to fit a child's face properly and shield the sun's rays from all directions, Prevent Blindness of America warns, to offer children maximum protection. Wrap-around sunglasses, the group says, are optimal for protection as they protect the skin surrounding a child's eye as well.

For the best protection, sunglasses should be made of impact-resistant polycarbonates and not glass. The lenses should also be scratch-free.

In addition to sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat or cap can also aid in providing eye protection, Prevent Blindness of America announced.

Dr. Deena Leonard, MD, MD of Premier Eye Care and Surgery was selected in 2010 by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor - Dr. Leonard was named a Best Chicago Pediatric Ophthalmologist specializing in Treatment of Adult Strabismus (crossed-eye), Amblyopia (lazy eye) and blocked tear ducts.  Dr Leonard practices in the North Shore and Lake County suburbs of Barrington, IL and Buffalo Grove, IL.