Just as you protect your skin with sun creams, so care must be taken to protect your eyes with sunglasses. Often it is not done, or it is not done well. The solution lies in the good example that parents can give to their children to show them that when you are exposed to the sun you need to protect your skin and eyes together.
Parenting model of prevention
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that there is increasing attention from parents in the sun protection of their children. “During childhood and adolescence – explains Andrea Piantanida, eye surgeon at the Lariano Eye Center, Cernobbio-Como and member of the Scientific Committee of the Salmoiraghi & Viganò Foundation – parents play a fundamental role in protecting their children from ultraviolet radiation: they represent an educational and behavioral reference model in the relationship to be kept with the sun’s rays to prevent the consequences they have on the health of the organs most directly affected, that is, the skin and eyes “.
What to pay attention to
What should parents’ attention be focused on? “During outdoor activities, it is essential to use clothing with integrated UV filter, also ideal on the beach – specific Piantanida – the protective role of a simple bathing suit and sunscreen with a protection factor is often considered sufficient. high ”but UV rays can also pass through clothing. On average, sunscreens should be applied every 2-3 hours on children playing on the beach and once a day in other outdoor activities. But the cream is not enough. The eyes are exposed to solar radiation like the skin. Sunglasses are the only real weapon to shield UV rays and protect the eyes.
Watch out for the hottest hours
It is important to know that solar radiation is most intense in the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky. Keeping your children sheltered from the sun by minimizing exposure to the open air during the period of greatest ultraviolet radiation, i.e. from 10 in the morning to 17 in the afternoon, is especially recommended for small children.
Cap and glasses: a winning choice
The cap with visor is a valid ally against UV rays but when it comes to sunglasses, their importance is underestimated from an early age: “Only a quarter of children use sunglasses outdoors and this percentage only grows to 38 % in beach activities “. To ensure that the child can practice all outdoor activities adequately protected, in addition to the hat, it is important to protect his skin with the protective cream and above all to protect his eyes with sunglasses. Their lens is much more transparent than that of adults so in children under the age of 10, the lens allows more than 75% of UV rays to pass, making their eyes even more delicate.
Don’t let your guard down
Parents have the arduous task of keeping their attention high as they grow up and become more independent because adolescence is the period in which the possibility of adopting risky habits increases. “It must be clear – urges Piantanida – that ocular structures are among the most involved and susceptible to damage from UV radiation. The ophthalmologist is the reference figure both for diagnosing any pathological consequences of UV rays, and for suggesting the correct prevention aids to use “.