How to Protect Your Child's Vision This Summer

Summer is just around the corner which, for children, means more time spent outside playing, swimming or going to the beach. Here are some sun protection tips from a qualified Calgary eye doctor.

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Summer is almost here and for most families that means it’s time for activities including swimming, riding bicycles or playing summer sports. Unfortunately, a large majority of these outdoor activities also lead to an increased exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. 

In fact, exposure to UV rays can lead to a number of serious eye conditions including: 

• Retinal damage
• Increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration
• Higher risk of developing cataracts as an adult

At Market Mall Optometry, our professional children’s eye doctors provide a wide array of services including comprehensive eye exams, a variety of affordable children’s sunglasses and emergency eye care to help protect your kid’s eyes and ensure the long-term health of their vision.

 

Children’s Eyes & Sun Damage

Given that the vision of young patients is at a greater risk of damage from harmful UV rays, it’s important to talk to your children’s eye doctor about how you can protect their eyes this summer.

Why are children at a greater risk?

The crystalline lens in children’s eyes is less capable of filtering UV than those in adult eyes, resulting in greater risk for internal eye damage (such as cataracts & macular degeneration) later in life.

 In fact, it has been estimated that the lens of a child allows 70% more UV rays to reach the retina than an adult.

Talk to your children’s eye doctor about how to protect your young one’s vision

Taking action to protect your child’s eyes now will decrease the potential for serious eye problems later in life. Two ways to do this is to talk to your children’s eye doctor about:

• Contact lenses with UV protection (Read More: Contact Lenses & Children)
• Wrap-around children’s sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB blocking lenses

 To help you choose contact lenses and sunglasses appropriate for your child, they should have a comprehensive eye exam by a qualified children’s eye doctor to ensure their eyes are healthy and to take any current eye conditions into consideration.

 Need help deciding whether contact lenses are the right option for your child?

 

Tips on Protecting Your Child’s Eyes This Summer

Shielding kid’s eyes from the harmful rays of the sun is just as important as protecting their skin. Children are bound to spend more time outdoors and in the yard this summer so it’s a good time to focus on their vision and discuss children’s eye care with your eye doctor.

Apart from scheduling regular children’s eye exams, other tips for protecting your kid’s eyes this warm season include:

• Look for kids’ sunglasses which block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
• Let your child pick their own sunglasses as this will increase the likelihood that they’ll be worn
• Large, wraparound styles will provide a lot more protection from the sun
• Talk to your children’s eye doctor about impact-resistant, scratch-proof lenses that will suit your child’s active lifestyle.
• Remember that sun damage can occur even on CLOUDY DAYS. It’s important to have your child wear their sunglasses even when it’s not sunny
• Remind your child to NEVER look directly at the sun
• Eye protection is especially important between 10am - 2pm as this is when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are strongest
• Encourage your child to also wear a broad-brimmed hat along with their sunglasses when outdoors
• Set a good example for your child by wearing sunglasses yourself
• If your child has prescription eyeglasses, visit your children’s eye doctor for an eye exam and discuss prescription sunglasses.

 

Call Today

To find out more about our comprehensive eye care services for children including UV contact lenses and children’s sunglasses, contact our children’s eye doctors at 403-286-4884 or book a eye exam today!