Sunglasses especially important for younger children

Although many adults wear sunglasses as a fashion accessory, for children the stylish specs are a a necessity. The Malaysia Star reports that children's eyes are more susceptible to damage from the sun's rays, and parents should ensure their kids are wearing sunglasses when they are exposed to the sun for an extended period of time.

"In children, almost all the harmful rays go into the eyes and reach the retina which is the part that we are worried about," Dr Choong Yee Fong told the news source. "As a result, a lot of damage is done at a young age."

Dr Choong added that many children are not encouraged to wear sunglasses by their parents, who may overlook the importance of the lenses. While protective eyewear serves a distinct purpose, that does not mean that children cannot wear fashionable frames as well.

According to AllAboutVision.com, there are a number of styles that are popular among the younger population. Oval, round and cat-eye frames are popular choices for children today. Whichever frame one selects, sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV rays and 75 to 90 percent of visible sunlight.