In addition to a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protected clothes and the necessary sunscreen, parents now know that they need to protect their children's eyes with a pair of children's sunglasses.
The sun emits rays of light that are both beneficial and dangerous. These are known as ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun's ultraviolet rays are divided into 3 types: UVA radiation, UVB radiation and UVC radiation.
UVA rays are the most common form of sun exposure. UVB rays are less but more intense. UVC rays are the worst. Fortunately, most of the UVC rays are absorbed by the disturbed (man-made) ozone layer that encloses the Earth's atmosphere.
Children's sunglasses protect children's eyes from the above rays and are now necessary for the following reasons:
-Children are more vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation because the eye completes its development at the age of about 10-12 years. Until then the human eye is not able to filter all UVA and UVB rays. So sunglasses offer the necessary protection during this sensitive period.
-Children spend most of their day outside and do not realize the dangers that the sun can hide for the eyes. For example, they are able to look directly at the sun without even opening and closing their eyes, simply because they may consider it another toy.
-Hat, clothes and sunscreen can of course protect from the sun, but they do not protect the eye from direct sun exposure or reflections.