Because the lenses in their eyes are clearer, children's eyes are more susceptible to UV exposure. Please take the following steps when taking your children outside:

• Keep children younger than six months out of direct sunlight. Choose the shade, an umbrella, or a baby stroller when outside with a very young child or infant. Make sure the stroller has a shade for the sun.
• Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are the strongest at these hours.
• To help ensure your children wear their sunglasses, allow them to select a style they like. Many manufacturers make frames with cartoon characters or multi-colored frames.
• Make sure your child wears a wide-brimmed hat or a baseball-cap, which will provide some UV protection, if he/she will not tolerate sunglasses.
• Be sure to wear sunglasses or a hat outside yourself. Children often follow the example of their parents.
• Remind children to wear their sunglasses or a hat even on cloudy days. Most of the sun's rays can come through the clouds on an overcast day.
• Teach your children to never look directly or stare at the sun.

Education of our children allow prevention of sun damage to their eyes. As parents we can set a good example and follow the same guidelines by wearing UV protective sunglasses when outdoors.