Protecting Your Child's Eyes from the New Zealand Sun

As an Optical Dispenser, I often chat with parents who do a fantastic job protecting their children's skin from the sun. But one thing that is often forgotten is eye protection.

In New Zealand, UV levels are some of the highest in the world, and children's eyes are especially sensitive to UV damage because they are still developing.The more time kids spend outdoors playing sport, swimming, or exploring, the more exposure they get to harmful UV rays.

Many people are surprised to learn that sunglasses are important even on cloudy days. UV rays can pass through clouds, so your child's eyes can still be exposed when the weather doesn't seem particularly sunny.

The god news is that protecting their eyes is simple. A quality pair of sunglasses with 100% UV protection and a good sun hat can make a huge difference. When choosing sunglasses, fit and comfort are just as important as UV protection. If they're comfortable, children are much more likely to wear them.

I always encourage parents to think of sunglasses the same way they think about sunscreen. We protect our children's skin every day, so it makes sense to protect their eyes too.

Helping children develop good sun-safe habits from a young age can support their eye health well into the future. If you're not sure whether your child's sunglasses offer enough protection, pop into Rose Optometry. We'd be happy to help.

After all, they only get one pair of eyes, and they're worth protecting.

 Lisa Hilton

DispensingAssistant

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