Sunglasses facts for kids
Sunglasses are special glasses that protect your eyes from bright sunlight. People sometimes call them shades. Their main job is to stop strong sunlight and harmful light from hurting your eyes or making them uncomfortable. Sunglasses can also help you see better, especially if they have lenses that are colored, polarized (which reduces glare), or just darkened. A long time ago, in the early 1900s, some people even called them "sun cheaters"!
The American Optometric Association, a group of eye doctors, suggests wearing sunglasses whenever you are outside in the sun. This helps protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays and blue light. These types of light can cause serious eye problems over time.
It's really important to know that if sunglasses are dark but don't block UV rays, they can actually be worse for your eyes than not wearing any at all! This is because dark lenses make your pupils (the black center of your eye) open wider, letting in even more harmful UV rays. Since the 1940s, sunglasses have also become a popular fashion item, especially at the beach.
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Why We Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses do more than just make you look cool! They are very important for keeping your eyes healthy.
Protecting Your Eyes from UV Rays
Sunlight contains invisible rays called ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These rays can be very damaging to your eyes, just like they can harm your skin. Wearing sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of UV rays helps prevent problems like:
- Cataracts: This is when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, making it hard to see clearly.
- Macular degeneration: This is a condition that can blur your central vision, making it difficult to see details.
- Pterygium: This is a growth on the white part of your eye that can spread to the cornea (the clear front part of your eye).
Reducing Glare and Brightness
Bright sunlight can be very uncomfortable and make it hard to see clearly. Sunglasses reduce the amount of light that reaches your eyes, making things easier to see. Some sunglasses have polarized lenses, which are extra good at cutting down glare from surfaces like water, snow, or roads. This is why they are popular for activities like fishing, skiing, or driving.
Special Situations for Wearing Sunglasses
Sometimes, wearing sunglasses is extra important. For example:
- After Eye Surgery: Doctors often tell people to wear sunglasses right after certain eye surgeries, like LASIK, to protect their healing eyes.
- In Dusty Areas: Sunglasses can help keep dust and other small particles out of your eyes.
- When Outdoors: Any time you are outside in the sun, even on cloudy days, UV rays can still reach your eyes.
Popular Sunglasses Brands
Many companies make sunglasses, and some have become very famous. Here are a few well-known brands:
- Ray-Ban
- Oakley
- Prada
- Polaroid
- Gucci
- Emporio Armani Eyewear
- DKNY
- Emblem Eyewear
Images for kids
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Inuit snow goggles function by reducing exposure to sunlight, not by reducing its intensity
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Effect of pair of polarized filters
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Broad temple arms protect against "stray light" entering from the sides
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Sunglasses with slim temple arms
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Protecting his eyes from exposure due to exophthalmos, sunglasses have become the trademark of German singer Heino
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Sunglasses worn by an ocean kayaker
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Athlete Mo Farah wearing iridescent lenses in Doha Qatar.
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1969 on board the Eagle: Buzz Aldrin stows his sunglasses before the Moon landing
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1969: Helmet visor protecting Aldrin's eyes on the Moon
See also
In Spanish: Gafas de sol para niños
