Doctor offers tips to protect children's eyes from UV light
Dr. Rudolph S. Wagner, clinical associate professor of ophthalmology and pediatrics at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey New Jersey Medical School, Newark, has offered several tips on protecting children's eyes from potentially damaging UV light during the summer months.

The younger the child, the clearer his natural eye lenses, and the clearer the lenses, the more susceptible a child is to damage from UV exposure.

The sun's ultraviolet radiation has been implicated in producing conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration, which is one of the main causes of blindness in the elderly, according to Dr. Wagner. Many of these conditions are the cumulative effect of UV exposure over a person's lifetime. If people can screen UV light out earlier on, they may sidetrack the effects.

Dr. Wagner offered the following tips:

• Babies who are 6 months of age or younger should not be out in the bright sunlight without a brimmed hat or an umbrella to shade their eyes

• For toddlers and older children, sunglasses are another good option. When choosing a pair, the key is to look for a label that indicates 99 percent or 100 percent - or greater than 400 nanometers (nm) - UV block. As long as that label is on there, the glasses are screening out UV light

• Expensive sunglasses aren't necessary

to do the job, as long as the eyewear offers UV protection. Wearing sunglasses without UV protection is the same as doing nothing to protect the eyes

• Inspect the quality of the lens, particularly with less expensive sunglasses that are mass manufactured. Sometimes the way the lens is ground is not as precise as if it were a higher-quality lens, and that may impact sight clarity. Pick up the pair of sunglasses, look through them, and move them up and down. If you're looking at a straight line, that line should remain straight. If the line appears a little jagged or wavy, search for another pair using that test to gauge the quality of the lenses

• Lens color is not an indicator of UV protection, though mirror-coated and polarized lenses reduce glare and can be beneficial if you're in the water

• Check frame fit and appeal. Wraparound styles are best, but other styles offering less coverage are fine since the difference in protection is minimal. If the child takes part in selection, he is more likely to wear them.

If you're hesitant about buying sunglasses, or worrying that the child will fling them off at every opportunity, reconsider. Children may not like the feel. But if they can see better, they may keep them on, especially out in the bright sun.

For more information, call Zenaida or Jerry at 973-972-5000.