Protecting kids eyes against sun damage
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We all know we need to put on sunscreen during summer, but did you know it’s just as important for young kids to put on good quality sunglasses too? Kids eyes need to be cared for and protected from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays just as much as their skin.
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Kids eyes need to be cared for and protected from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays just as much as their skin.
The damage UV rays can cause to their eyes is irreversible, and with most sun damage occurring during childhood, it’s really important that kids start wearing sunglasses whilst they’re still young.
Find out more about the sun's harmful rays and how you can protect your kids eyes against sun damage from our friends at Mud Mates.
Protecting kids eyes against sun damage
1. Understanding the sun’s harmful UV rays
The sun has three types of UV radiation: UVC, UVA and UVB rays.
UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, which exposes kids to harmful UVA and UVB rays.
When these two UV rays reach your kids eyes, they can affect different layers within their eyes.
Light coloured eyes are more susceptible to these rays as they absorb more.
The cornea at the front of the eye is what protects kids eyes from UVB radiation.
When their eyes are exposed to too many UVB rays, corneal damage occurs resulting in lesions, inflammation and even growths.
UVA rays pass through the cornea, reaching the lens and retina inside the eye.
If kids have too much UVA exposure it can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration.
2. Sun damage to kids eyes
While UV skin damage occurs mostly between 10am-4pm, with kids eyes this is not the case.
UV sun damage to eyes happens all the time. It can even depend on the angle of the sun in the sky, with mornings having higher UV eye exposure than midday.
UV eye damage is cumulative. A little bit here and there adds up and can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, pterygium, solar keratopathy and skin cancer on the skin around kids eyes.
Until kids are 10 years old, their eyes have a greater risk of sun damage than an adult has. This is because their eyes are still developing, and they are highly sensitive to sunlight.
3. Protecting kids eyes against the sun
To help protect your kids eyes against sun damage, look to buy good quality sunglasses which block both the UVA and UVB rays.
Mud Mates has a great range of kids sunglasses to choose from.
Encourage your kids to wear a wide-brimmed hat too to help shield their face and neck and prevent further sun damage.
Source: This article was written by Mud Mates - Taking care of messy kids with protective over-garments, perfect for dirty, messy play, indoors and out.