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Baby Banz UV FactsHow does Ultraviolet Light affect a child’s eyes?
 
2 main types of Ultraviolet (UV) Light:
            UVA - is visible and causes tanning and contributes to aging.
            UVB - is invisible and causes sunburn and skin cancer. UVB is more damaging.
 
  • 80% of a lifetime sun exposure is obtained before age 18.
  • Children from the ages of birth to adolescence are at greatest risk to accrue eye damage from ultraviolet light.
  • Immediately after birth, nearly all UV Light is transmitted through the lens to the retina of the infant’s eye because an infant’s lenses have not begun the critical development necessary to block UV Light.
  • During childhood, the lens transmittance decreases as the child’s eyes further develop and by the age of 25, the lens absorbs almost all UV Light.
  •  UV exposure contributes to the development of many eye disorders such as Photokeratitis, a reversible sunburning of the cornea; Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural lens which reduces vision; and Skin Cancer can develop on the eyelids and surrounding skin.
 ** Information provided by the Prevent Blindness America Scientific Advisory Committee Task Force
on Ultraviolet Radiation.
 
How to protect against UV Radiation
 
  • Wear a wide brim hat. This will reduce at least 50% of UV Light. 
  • Use UV400 lenses in a wrap around style Sunglasses. The lenses should also be made of Polycarbonate for added impact protection; especially for children. 
  • Even prescription glasses should use lenses that have a UV component in the material. UV protection can be incorporated in almost all materials AND is inexpensive and will NOT interfere with vision. 
  • Check your local weather reports for the daily UV Index. 
  • Consult your Optical Professional for other ways to ensure safe and long term “Fun in the Sun.”
 
More Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) Facts
 
Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) is high-energy radiation from the Sun, which is capable of causing damage to living organisms. Ultraviolet radiation is classified by wavelength into three regions:
  1. UVA - is thought to contribute to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin and has recently been implicated as a cause of skin cancer.
  2. UVB - more dangerous than UVA and has been implicated as the major cause of skin cancers, sun burning and cataracts.
  3. UVC - is extremely dangerous but does not reach the earth's surface due to absorption in the atmosphere.
Ultra Violet Protection Factor (UPF)- this rating indicates how much UVR is blocked by a material. For example, a material with a UPF rating of 20 would only allow 1/20th of the hazardous UVR falling on its surface to pass through it. This means that this material would reduce the UVR exposure by a factor of 20. Stated another way, this material would block 95% of the UVR and transmit only 5%. UPF 50+ blocks more than 98%.
 
Sun Protection Factor (SPF)- this rating is used for sunscreens, which refers to the blocking strength of the sunscreen and the length of time it protects. For example, a SPF of 50 will allow you and your child to stay in the sun 50 times longer than the normal time it takes unprotected skin to change color (tan) or burn. If your skin burns in 10 minutes, than your protection will last up to 500 minutes (multiply 50 by 10).
Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going out in the sun, because the chemicals need time to absorb into the skin. The best sunscreen to choose has broad-spectrum protection that can block out both UVA and UVB rays.
 
UV Index Guide

 

0 - 2 Minimal

            Most people can stay in the sun for 1 hour between 10am and 4pm 
 

3 - 4 Low

Low risk for most, but fair skin should take precautions. They could burn in 20 minutes unprotected. Wear long sleeves when possible.
 

5 - 6 Moderate

Fair skinned people should wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15. They could burn in less than 15 minutes.  Use lip balm with sunscreen added if outside for prolonged periods.  Wear a wide brimmed hat for protection along with Sunglasses. 
 

7 - 9 High

At high risk of harm from unprotected overexposure. Burning could occur within 10 minutes unprotected.  When outside seek shade and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.  Be aware that water, sand, and grass reflect UV light.
 

 10 + Very High

Fair skinned people can burn in less than 5 minutes. Avoid the sun as much as possible.  Try not to pursue outdoor activities.  Wear a wide brimmed hat and glasses that will block out at least 90% of UV light.