Surprisingly the winter in the Northeast this year has been pretty mild. It was a welcome relief after the “Bomb Cyclone” and frigid below-zero temperature winter we had last year. While it wasn't as bad, the chilly weather makes me understand why bears hibernate during these cold wintery months. Who wants to be out and about in this weather? Fortunately, Spring is only 32 days away but we can’t be like bears so we must venture out in the cold until then. Read on for why it’s not only important to bundle up from head to toe, but also protect your little one’s eyes!

Sunglasses Aren’t Just For Summer…

Subzero temps, snow storms, gray overcast skies, big furry parkas are what we typically associate with winter. Kids sunglasses and eye protection are not top of mind unless you and the fam are escaping to the warm, sunny Caribbean. If this is not the case, then this is a big miss and here are the top 5 reasons why your little hipster and mini fashionistas should still rock their stylish kid's sunglasses this frosty season.

Reason 1: The winter sun may be weaker, but this DOES NOT mean your eyes are less susceptible to UV damage.

The truth is even when there are cloud cover and overcast skies, UV rays are still present. In fact, UV rays are present year round. UV rays consist of 3 types and they can wreck some serious damage to your little one’s eyes if not well protected.

UVA:

They represent 95% of the UV rays that make it to earth’s surface. They are the longest of the 3 types of UV rays. While UVA rays are considered to be less intense than UVB they are able to permeate through layers of your skin and cause more long-term damage. UVA is typically known as the culprit for causing skin aging and wrinkling, and in recent studies have now been shown to contribute or even initiate the development of skin cancer. In terms of eye damage, if unprotected, UVA rays can cause damage to a child’s central vision, impacting the macula which is at the back of the retina.

UVB:

 

Reason 2: The winter sun’s position is actually lower in the sky. This means more constant exposure and a greater chance that the sun will be shining directly into your child’s eye.

In the summer, the intensity of the sun is obviously stronger but it is also at a higher position. While it is shining its warm rays directly down on us our brow ridge helps minimize the direct impact of the sun into our eyes. Think of our brow ridge as a naturally built-in shade. During the winter with its lower position, we don’t have the brow ridge to help minimize that impact. Sunglasses are the perfect tool to take over the job of protecting your little one’s eyes.

Reason 3: Minimize eye irritation from the cold dry winter air.

Besides the cold, you also have to contend with the harsh winds and cool air that can wreak havoc on your child’s delicate eyes. Ever get so cold that your eyes start tearing up? Trust me, we’ve all been there. In fact, we see this on our little one as he braves the blustery cold so that he can squeeze out a few more minutes on the playground. The human eye needs lubrication to see, and in the cold, dry winter air, it can be very irritating to the eye, specifically the cornea. A simple fix to minimize eye irritation for your little ones during those cold wintery walks is to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses provide a barrier between delicate eyes and whipping winds, preventing dry red eyes in the winter, and will make them feel more comfortable.

Reason 4: Improve visibility and reduce eye strain and headaches.

While most adults dread the impending doom of upcoming snowstorms, for kids they are a godsend! School closing, playing out in the snow, and sledding - all the fun that comes along with all that white fluffy stuff. Snow is all fun and games but have you tried staring at fresh white powdery snow after a snow storm, the sharp reflection of the light can be quite blinding. With all that glare from the snow comes the possibility of snow blindness. According to the World Health Organization – fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays. When playing in the snow, the glare and bright reflection can cause significant eye strain and cause eye discomfort for kids. Wearing polarized sunglasses can ensure that they have improved visibility and reduced eyestrain and headaches.

 

Reason 5: Looking stylish while bundled up.

Between puffy snow jackets and chunky scarves, sometimes it can be tough trying to make your little one look stylish while staying warm. Why not add a little pizzaz and spruce up their winter, frost- fighting outfit with a colorful and stylish sunglasses. A little necessary accessory like winter sunglasses can go a long way! Check out our full collection and find the perfect shade so your nugget can step out in style.