Because
the lenses in their eyes are clearer, children's eyes are more
susceptible to UV exposure. Please take the following steps when taking
your children outside:
- Keep children younger than six months out of direct sunlight.
Choose the shade, an umbrella, or a baby stroller when outside with
a very young child or infant. Make sure the stroller has a shade for
the sun.
- Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The
sun's rays are the strongest at these hours.
- To help ensure your children wear their sunglasses, allow them to
select a style they like. Many manufacturers make frames with
cartoon characters or multi-colored frames.
- Make sure your child wears a wide-brimmed hat or a baseball-cap,
which will provide some UV protection, if he/she will not tolerate
sunglasses.
- Be sure to wear sunglasses or a hat outside yourself. Children
often follow the example of their parents.
- Remind children to wear their sunglasses or a hat even on cloudy
days. Most of the sun's rays can come through the clouds on an
overcast day.
- Teach your children to never look directly or stare at the sun.
To learn more about children and UV eye safety, use the following
resources:
The American Academy of Pediatrics
Prevent Blindness America
KidsSource Online