SUNGLASSES STRATEGIES

SUNGLASSES STRATEGIES
Getting kids to wear sunglasses isn't always easy. Here are some tips from opthamologist Dr. William Potter of Greenwich, Conn., and Dr. Leslie Doctor, an opthamologist affiliated with Norwalk, Conn., Hospital. Both are parents who regularly see children in their practices.
U Fit is critical when selecting eyewear for children. If sunglasses don't feel good on their small noses, chances are they won't wear them. If the glasses slip a lot, chances are kids will resist wearing them. So be a good consumer and choose the best fit at the best price.
U Make sunglasses part of your family's regular sun protection ritual. Wear your own sunglasses and put them on your children as you prepare to head outdoors.
U If your children still resist wearing sunglasses, at least insist on a brimmed hat. Dr. Doctor says: "A baseball cap tends to work best."
U Be mindful that kids are trend-conscious, says Dr. Doctor. "Brands matter to kids. The same way that they matter to adults who go for brands like Gucci or Chanel." Boys, she says, might favor eyewear made by an athleticwear manufacturer or a popular gaming company. Girls might go for Disney lenses encrusted with tiny rhinestones or the trendy pink lenses with silver metal frames featured in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen line available at Wal-Mart ($11.99).
U While fashion lenses are OK if they have 100 percent UV/UVA protection, try to stick with colors like brown, green and gray, says Dr. Doctor. They tend to offer the best protection.
U Other good options for encouraging wear (and discouraging loss) include neck cords on which to hang glasses. Some manufacturers, such as Baby Bonz, are beginning to show junior lenses with Velcro bands that wrap around the head. These are a good choice for tykes prone to removing glasses.
U Consider the wraparound style favored by athletes such as cyclist Lance Armstrong and golfer David Duvall. Potter says besides providing an element of cool, they also protect against indirect light coming in on the sides of the lenses.