Little eyes are even more fragile than adults’ because their crystalline lens can’t filter damaging rays yet, leaving them exposed.
So, it’s especially important to get them wearing sunglasses from a young age.
Product managers, engineers, laboratory staff: we gather all our optics specialists together to make our sunglasses.
Buying sunglasses for your baby is pretty straightforward but do keep these three things in mind: the level of UV protection they offer, how sturdy they are and also, the lens category. Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of the last one before, we’ll explain it all in this article.
The first thing to check is that the lenses provide full UV protection . The lens material should filter harmful UV rays (UVA and UVB), preventing them from reaching your baby’s eyes. No matter their age, full UV protection is non-negotiable.
Full UV Protection
Let’s think about sturdiness first. With children, sunglasses can (and will) fall, which is why you should go for highly shock-resistant polycarbonate lenses.
Impact Resistant
That’s the lenses sorted, but you also need to check that the frame is sturdy and flexible . Children move around and fiddle with their sunglasses a lot, so frames that can bend to their will a little will last longer.
There are various types of frames available, depending on your child's age.
6 To 18 Months
Go for an extra flexible frame that will adjust to your baby's face as it grows.
2 To 6 Years Old
We recommend a soft, flexible frame that will adjust to your little one’s face. This style of sunglasses often comes with a strap to keep them in place even if they’re jumping around.
Kids Over 7 Years Old
Try a semi-flexible frame . Children can be relied on to look after their sunglasses a bit more at this age and this design will stay on their nose without slipping down a bit better.
Not to be confused with the UV protection, the lens category is the index of glare protection . This number only indicates the degree of the lens tint.
For children, choose category 3 or 4 lenses.
We recommend using category 4 lenses only for bright sunshine conditions, for example if you’re going to be in or near the sea or are headed for mountain conditions. For babies, or in less intense sunshine, category 3 lenses are fine and don’t mean less UV protection (the lens material already has harmful rays covered).
Category 3
For sunny weather and bright outside conditions . Full UV protection.
Category 4
For very sunny weather conditions, sea and mountain included. Very bright outside conditions . Again, full UV protection.
Samuele
Optics Specialist
Don't forget the elasticated head strap – it’ll help keep the sunglasses in place on even the most energetic of little faces!
