While summer is yet to arrive, most families are already planning their next trip to the beach. But before you and the kids look forward to the sunlight and the waves, a previous post about packing essentials for the beach emphasises the need for sunglasses alongside sunscreen, hats, and swimwear with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. Paying attention to sun protection through these essentials helps prevent health risks caused by UV rays, from sunburn and premature ageing to eye conditions like photokeratitis.
When choosing the right sunglasses for the entire family, you canβt just get the first pair you see on the shelves. To maximise sun safety and eye health for everyone, hereβs a brief guide highlighting the factors you must consider for a stress-free beach vacation!
Prioritise UV protection
Cancer Research UK notes that the risk of UV damage is present even on cloudy days when the UV index is within the moderate range of 3 to 5. So, ensure your pair of sunglasses have adequate UV protection to protect your eyes regardless of the weather or time of the day.
Most sunglasses brands, whether for kids or adults, will indicate their level of UV protection. The rating will either indicate that the eyewear blocks 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays or simply state UV-400, which means it can protect the eyes from wavelengths up to 400 nanometres.
Consider vision needs
Besides the UV rating, it also helps to consider lens features that align with the family membersβ specific vision needs. Considering the rising cases of myopia among children and age-related presbyopia among middle-aged or older adults, prescription sunglasses from Oakley can balance vision correction and sun protection without needing separate pairs of eyewear.
The top brand offers high-quality, signature frames like the rectangular Holbrook and lightweight Pitchman with prescription lenses to accommodate vision impairments even outdoors. Other lens options include polarised prescription sunglasses UK from brands like Glasses Direct and Jimmy Fairly, as these reduce glare and enhance clarity for beach activities like surfing and jet skiing.
Select durable materials
Youβd want your sunglasses to last you a long time, whether youβre jetting off to an adventurous island in the Mediterranean or simply enjoying the relaxing views on beaches here in the UK.
The key to durability is the right material, with the best frame options being high-quality plastics like nylon and metals like aluminium and stainless steel. If youβre worried about kids being prone to physically damaging their lenses, you can also get theirs in protective scratch-resistant coatings to minimise wear and tear.
Ensure a comfortable fit
Lastly, ensure that the frames fit your face nicely without causing any pain or discomfort on the nose, ears, and temples. Checking the sizing options among both kids and adults can also help avoid sunglasses that are too snug or too loose.
The frame material can also play a role in comfort, especially among kids who need lightweight frames to encourage them to wear their sunglasses at all times, even while playing and frolicking in the sand. As such, the kidsβ sunglasses brand Cream Eyewear not only makes their frames in
stylishly exciting colour palettes but also uses Truegrass material. This is made of 60% recycled plastic bottles and 30% grass fibres to ensure a flexible and non-toxic composition.
In summary, the right pair of sunglasses for each family member must have an adequate UV rating, accommodate their vision needs, and are made of durable and comfortable materials for all-around sun safety and vision preservation.