Health Benefits of Sunglasses & Celebrating #NationalSunglassesDay

We’re celebrating!! What you ask? Well did you know that it is National Sunglasses Day on June 27? I didn’t, not until I was invited to participate in a webinar, hosted by The Vision Council, titled The Health Benefits of Sunglasses.

I am sure we all know that wearing sunglasses is beneficial to our eye health, and of course it makes getting out and about in the sun that much more comfortable. The summer is upon us again (thank goodness!) and in our home we’re making as many plans as possible to enjoy every single minute of it. The winters in Minnesota are LONG and we have to make the most of the warmth and sunshine.

Having the opportunity to participate in this webinar taught me a lot. Things I didn’t know, like by the time a child turns 18, he/she receives nearly 25 percent of lifetime UV exposure to the eye. Also, children receive THREE times the annual adult dose of UV radiation. I had no idea that our little ones eyes were that much more at risk. I suppose if you really think about it, it does make complete sense, but I hadn’t really thought about it before.

Doctor Dora Adamopoulos, OD, who shared all this insight with us, recommended that all children (and adults) wear UV-protective eyewear (UVA & UVB) as often as possible. She also suggested you actively engage children in UV Protection. This can be accomplished by;

• Finding comfortable, playful sunglasses
• Lead by example
• Include children in the shopping experience
• Buy sunglasses with large frames or adjustable straps (velcro or elastic) so they are more likely to stay in place
• Look for shades without hinges so that children can put on their own glasses without pinching themselves

My suggestion (and I am not doctor, that I openly admit) is that you start this process with your little ones as soon as possible, from when they’re infants. Gradie has had a pair (or two) of sunglasses since birth, and while it can still be challenging at times to get her to keep them on, she does better then toddlers her age who haven’t worn them at all.

Gradie refers to “Gradie’s glasses” and “Mommy/Momma’s glasses”, she will go and get them and put them on to go outside to play on the deck. The best part of this is that she is so cute while wearing her glasses, take a look:

Now I encourage you to learn more about the health benefits of Sunglasses.

Head over to the National Sunglasses Day website and The Vision Council.

You’ll get all your questions answered and I bet you’ll learn a lot of stuff too.