Goal-proof, bike ride, hide-and-seek and canoe. Thus, they should be sunglasses for children and adolescents who do not know how to stay still, especially in summer when – after so many months of sedentary lifestyle due to Covid-19 – they can finally enjoy a bit of freedom. Not to the detriment of the health of the eyes that must be protected from the potential damage of the rays UV even in the long term. Here are some tips for a conscious choice that can guide parents.
For ‘children eagle’
If there are no visual defects such as myopia or astigmatism, experts recommend unbreakable and dark glasses: “We need lenses capable of filtering UVA and UVB rays at least 85-90% but passable by visible radiation on a frame that guarantees safety and adequate comfort. In addition, the material must protect the baby’s skin from allergies and not deform in the heat of the sun, ”he suggests Andrea Piantanida, eye surgeon of the Lariano Ophthalmology Center, Cernobbio-Como, and member of the Scientific Committee of the Salmoiraghi & Viganò Foundation.
For ‘mole babies’
When, on the other hand, the child already uses glasses to correct a visual defect, photochromic lenses are generally prescribed to avoid having to change frames every time they pass from a closed place to the open and vice versa. “These lenses – continues the ophthalmologist – have the characteristic of changing their color through a chemical process. The photochromic layer present will make the coloring uniform when the lens darkens in the sunlight ”.
Keep an eye on age
What is the right age to wear sunglasses? Two years are needed already or is it soon? In reality, the child matures the visual apparatus by gradually focusing the images as the first months pass. Indeed, the newborn puts in place natural defense mechanisms: “One is pupillary myosis, that is the decrease in the diameter of the pupil, the other is the so-called Eyelid Closure phenomenon in bright light ”, explains the ophthalmologist. “These mechanisms are due to the fact that in the first months of life it is the light sources that attract the child’s visual interest, but as the structures that allow the correct focus of the images develop, the problem arises of protecting them from any external damage “. This is why parents must also protect their eyes as well as their skin from radiation from 0 to two years old UV both trying to keep the little ones in shady areas, and dressing them with appropriate clothing, but also taking into consideration the sun glasses from an early age if you decide to expose the little one to sunlight, for example in seaside resorts or in mountain.
From 2 to 7 years
From 2 to 4 years, visual-motor coordination, color vision and depth perception begins and there is a greater interest in the surrounding environment. The pupil is wider than at later ages with poor iris pigmentation. “In this age group, but even earlier – explains Piantanida – the recommended lenses should protect from 90% of the rays UV , alter the colors as little as possible, have good impact resistance and be applied on frames preferably in soft or unbreakable material with a gray color. From 5 to 7 years, however, the visual development is almost complete, and you can also choose green glasses “.
Adolescence and ‘fashion’ glasses
Growing up children and even more adolescents give sunglasses a different value. “From 8 to 12 years – explains Piantanida – the ocular structures are almost completely similar to the adult. In fact, it is with adolescence that eyewear also takes on a ‘Fashion’ value with the request to have a personalized and at the same time comfortable model. “The lenses have to guarantee 85-90% protection against the rays UV, have good impact resistance and attractive colors such as gray, green or brown ”, continues the expert.
The most resistant materials
Speaking of resistance, when buying eyewear for a child you have to choose the material that can be polycarbonate or trivex, a new material that has become very popular thanks to its safety and optical quality characteristics. “Both polycarbonate and trivex lenses block 100% of the rays UV of the sun without the need for special coatings. In addition, both are thinner and lighter than normal plastic lenses and are impact resistant up to 10 times more than plastic or glass lenses ”, emphasizes Piantanida.
The color of the lenses
Even the choice of color is not just an aesthetic question, but goes far beyond especially when it comes to pediatric glasses. “The gray lenses – explains the ophthalmologist – are very relaxing and do not alter the colors of the environment, but they can distort the perception of distances. They are suitable for reducing glare and also for contact lens wearers ”. The brown ones, on the other hand, are lenses that increase the contrast and bring out the green color, offer excellent protection from the sun’s rays but are not very suitable in case of strong light such as in the high mountains or at the sea. They are recommended for myopic subjects and for sports activities. And the green ones? “Like gray lenses, they are restful, but they can degrade the contrast of images. They bring out the blue color, for example of the sky and the sea. They are not recommended for the nearsighted because they can distort the focus of objects and instead are recommended for the farsighted ”, suggests Piantanida.
For a boat trip
If the family vacation is typically marine with long days on the beach, pedal boat rides, surfing or speedboat then perhaps you can consider a mirrored lens. “Mirroring – explains the ophthalmologist – is a further treatment of the surface of the lenses that absorbs 10% to 60% more light than lenses without mirroring and is therefore particularly suitable for high mountains, beach life, on the sea and on the snow, helping to reduce glare and improving visual comfort “. It is generally used on dark sun lenses, but it can be applied over a base of any color: the best color rendering of the mirrors is obtained with a gray lens color.