The sun and children

Children's eyes, and particularly those of very young children, are far more permeable to light than those of adults, because their pupils are larger and the tissues are less rich in pigments. As a result, the transmission of U.V.A., and even U.V.B., is almost total in babies:

before the age of one, 90% of U.V.A. And more than 50% of U.V.B. Reach the retina.

at 13 years old, approximately 60% of U.V.A. And 25% of U.V.B.

after the age of 25, these quantities of U.V. Diminish, blocked by the lens.

As far as the eye is concerned, the damage caused by U.V. Rays in the tissues of the retina is repaired very quickly by the remarkable capacity for cellular renewal in healthy children with no dietary or vitamin deficiencies.

There is therefore apparently no immediate danger. What should make us cautious are the long-term effects (after the age of 50, what will be the state of the lens, what will be the state of the retina?). But mistakes are often made. For decades, the trend of permanent tanning has led parents to expose their children to the sun from a very young age.

Of course, children need a certain amount of U.V.A. On their skin to produce vitamin D and prevent rickets. But every individual is born with a personal sun capital in their skin, depending on their level of pigmentation (the harmful effects of light are more significant in fair-haired, light-eyed children).

Once the sun capital is exhausted, all the disadvantages of repeated prolonged exposure begin: skin ageing, skin cancers… Many parents who buy good sunglasses for themselves give their little ones cheap toy glasses from a bazaar, in all good faith. It is true that children tend to lose and break their glasses more readily than adults. So, it is better to put nothing on their nose at all!

Indeed, under the effect of tinted glass (or plastic), the child's pupil dilates in the sun, allowing even more harmful radiation to reach the retina without effective filtering. The result is disastrous! 

Parents, throw these toy glasses in the bin, explain to your child the importance of taking care of the real children's sunglasses with sun protection that you will give them, or otherwise a wide-brimmed hat will already offer protection for their neck and eyes.