Vision & Voice
Why is it
especially
important for
children to
protect their
eyes from the
sun’s rays while
outdoors?
“Many people don’t know that the sun is the largest singular source of
harmful blue light, emitting over 100 times the intensity of electronic
devices and screens. Not only does a child’s eye let in six times the UV
radiation as an adult’s eye, but their crystalline lens has not developed
or yellowed, allowing more blue light to reach the retina. As long-term
exposure to harmful blue light and UV radiation has been linked to the
eventual development of serious eye conditions, it’s especially important
for children to protect their eyes when outdoors.”
Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, Business development director, Transitions.
“Most of the damage that occurs
in the eyes as a result of UV rays is
from a person’s cumulative
exposure; that is the total number
of sun exposure hours over their
lifetime. Children have larger
pupils and clearer lenses allowing
up to 70 per cent more UV light to
enter the eyes than an adult in the
same situation, making it more
important to protect young eyes.”
Dr. Kirsten North,
Canadian Association of
Optometrists policy consultant.
8 Optical Prism | July 2019
“It’s especially important for
children to protect their eyes
while outdoors because they are
often outside for longer periods
of time than adults, which
increases their exposure time,
and subsequently, their risk.
Their natural lens inside their
eye also allows more harmful
ultraviolet (UV) and blue light
to reach the retina where it may
begin to cause damage.”
Dr. Justin Bazan,
Optometrist and medical
adviser to The Vision Council.
“
“Sun protection for children is
actually more important than
it is for adults. While our eyes
have some natural defences to
UV radiation, those defences are
not fully developed in children,
which means more UV light
hits the retina with the same
exposure. Studies indicate that
eye conditions such as cataracts
and macular degeneration are
more likely in people with higher
lifetime sun exposure. One of
the more interesting statistics is
that 50 per cent of our lifetime
sun exposure occurs before the
age of 18. Sunglasses should
specifically say they block 99 to
100 percent of UVA and UVB
light. For children who cannot
wear sunglasses, a hat offers
some protection.”
Dr. Aaron Patel,
Alberta Association of
Optometrists, Chair of the
Children’s Vision Committee.