Importance of Sunglasses for Children Ultraviolet Radiation
(UVR) protection for the skin and the eye is among the most
important aspects of preventive medicine in this century. This
is because of the increasing hazard of UVR exposure due to the
on-going depletion of the protective ozone layer. However, while
we are all aware of the impact of UV light on our children’s
sensitive skin and the need to wear skin creams to prevent skin
cancer, little thought is given to its effect on their eyes. Why
are children's eyes more sensitive? Children’s eyes are much
more sensitive to light than those of adults. Their pupils are
wider and their ocular tissues such as the cornea, lens and
fluids contain less pigment and as such are clearer and allow
more light to enter the retina. In fact, the clear lens of the
young child transmits about 7.5 times the amount of potentially
harmful UVR as the yellowing lens in the adult. According to the
Eyecare Trust, a Charity which dedicates itself to raising
awareness of eye health ac