Sunglasses for children and babies, yes or no?

Many parents wonder if their children have to wear sun glasses. Ophthalmology specialists do not agree, some specialists are recommended and others are not necessary. What is certain is that the latest studies tell us that it is important to protect the visual system of babies, to take care of their

Many parents wonder if their children have to wear sun glasses. Ophthalmology specialists do not agree, some specialists are recommended and others are not necessary. What is certain is that the latest studies tell us that it is important to protect the visual system of babies, to take care of their eyes from a very young age in a balanced way, that is, only for very intense exposures to the sun. Should babies wear sunglasses?

It is not necessary that babies or children go out with sunglasses to the street in any circumstance, but it is recommended that they use them for very intense exposures to the sun, such as moments spent on the beach or going to the snow .

But in everyday life in the case of babies or small children is not necessary.

The reason for this has its medical basis, and is that it is very important that light enters the eye of children so that these cells of the retina of the fundus of the eye develop and get used gradually to sunlight. If this does not happen and the child begins to use solar glasses from early childhood, for any type of solar exposure, whether intense or mild,

a photophobia could be generated in later stages . Photobiophy consists of the rejection of sunlight, it is an abnormal intolerance to light, proper in people with albinism or with any visual disease.In conclusion: sun glasses for children and babies should only be used for intense sun exposure, but never for everyday life.

The experts tell us about the use of sunglasses in childhood

With the collaboration of:

Teresa Molina Martín

Optician and optometrist

ISAVI, Institute of Visual Health