Kids' sunglasses: what to look for, and why UV matters more for children than adults

Children need sunglasses more than adults do, for two reasons. The lens inside a child's eye is clearer than an adult's and lets more ultraviolet reach the retina, and children spend more hours outdoors, in more direct sun, with decades of exposure ahead. What a child's sunglasses need, in order, is real UV protection, a lens that will not shatter, a frame that fits and stays on, and a strap. Colour, darkness and polarization come after all of that. A light, UV-blocking pair a child will keep on is worth more than a dark, sophisticated pair that lives in a bag.

Why UV matters more for children

The eye's own lens absorbs a large share of ultraviolet before it reaches the retina. In adults that lens has yellowed slightly with age and absorbs more. In children it is clear, and more UV passes through to the back of the eye. Eye-care bodies estimate that a substantial fraction of a lifetime's UV exposure to the eye happens before adulthood.

Add that children are outside more, at midday more, near water and sand more, and rarely reach for sunglasses on their own, and the case is made. UV protection is the first thing to check and the thing not to compromise on. Our UV400 vs polarized post explains what the labels mean; for a child, look for UV400 or "100% UVA/UVB" stated plainly.

The checklist

1. UV protection, stated. UV400 or 100% UVA/UVB. A dark lens without it is worse than no lens, because the pupil opens behind it. This is the one that matters.
2. Shatter-resistant lens. Polycarbonate is the standard for children's eyewear: it is the toughest common lens material, light, and blocks UV by its chemistry. Other plastics are acceptable. Glass is not; it can shatter into the eye. Our lens materials post compares them, and our impact ratings post explains what a shatter-resistance claim should be backed by.
3. A frame that fits. Children's faces are narrow. An adult frame slides off. Look for a frame width close to the child's face width, a bridge that sits on the nose, and arms that curve behind the ears. Flexible frames survive being sat on.
4. A strap. For anyone under about eight, a strap that goes behind the head is the difference between sunglasses on the face and sunglasses in the sand.
5. Coverage. Wrap-style or close-fitting frames block light from the sides, which matters at the beach and on snow.
6. A hat. A wide brim blocks half the light before it reaches the glasses, and a child will keep a hat on longer than sunglasses.

What matters less

Darkness. A child does not need a dark lens. A light or medium tint that blocks UV protects as well and is more likely to stay on, because the child can still see in shade. Our lens categories post explains the bands; category 2 is fine.

Polarization. Nice on the beach or on a boat, where it removes glare off water. Not necessary, and not a reason to spend more. If it is there, fine.

Colour. Grey or brown are both fine. Bright mirrors are fun and make no difference to protection. Let the child choose; a pair they like is a pair they wear.

Price. UV protection is cheap to make. What price buys is frame durability and fit, which do matter for a child, but a $10 pair from a reputable seller with UV400 stated is safer than a $100 pair without it. Our cheap sunglasses post covers this.

Babies and toddlers

For infants, a hat with a wide brim and shade matter more than sunglasses, which rarely stay on. From about six months, soft, flexible wrap frames with a strap exist and some babies tolerate them. Do not force it; shade and a hat do most of the work at this age.

Our frames and children

The T01 is an adult frame with a 140mm front, and it does not fit a child's face. We do not sell a children's pair. This post exists because the question gets asked and the answer matters; the checklist above applies to any pair from any seller.

Frequently asked questions