Travelling is not always fun and games. You can encounter problems like lost baggage, sunburn, or getting sick. Furthermore, keeping healthy whilst travelling with young kids is even more challenging, as they may be more susceptible to health risks, like food poisoning.
Aside from worrying about the usual stomach bug or sunburn, you must also watch out for your family’s eye health during holidays, especially in more tropical climates. Many eye conditions can develop due to prolonged sun exposure, such as cataract formation, macular degeneration, and corneal damage.
Luckily, you can protect your eyes using sunglasses for happy and healthy family holidays. If you’re curious to know how these preserve your health, keep reading below.
How Sunglasses Preserve Eye Health During Holidays
They block UV rays
Apart from emitting heat, the sun is known to give off harmful UV rays. The UV rays damage the eyes by modifying their lens proteins, leading to cataract formation and worsening eyesight. UV levels of 3 or more can already cause major eye damage.
Sunglasses protect the eyes by blocking these UV rays. Many sunglasses today offer UVA and UVB protection, allowing you and your family to get sun exposure without compromising your eye health.
Protects the eyes from different elements
On a holiday, you’ll encounter different things like sand and dirt, which can get into your eyes. Sand and dirt can scratch the eye’s surface, resulting in corneal abrasion. Although temporary, this can cause pain and discomfort, especially for kids.
Sunglasses act as a barrier between these elements and your eyes. When it’s windy, for example, sand won’t easily land on your eyes compared to when you’re not wearing sunglasses.
Reducing Eye Strain and Travel Fatigue
Squinting against the sun for hours leads to “eye fatigue,” which manifests as dry eyes, blurred vision, and tension headaches. Wearing sunglasses blocks the sun’s harsh glare that causes eye strain, and high-quality glasses frames help maintain clear and comfortable vision throughout the day. By reducing the effort your eyes must make to focus, you stay energized and headache-free.
What to Look for When Buying Family Travel Eyewear
To ensure your family is actually protected, don’t just grab the first pair you see at the airport. Look for these specific features:
Polarized Lenses
Polarization is a game-changer for active travelers. It filters out horizontal light waves (glare) bouncing off water, snow, or the road.
- Why it matters: It improves contrast and clarity, helping you see the vibrant colors of your destination while preventing “snow blindness” or water glare.
- Top Picks: Brands like Oakley (specifically the Frogskins or Latch models) are famous for high-performance polarization that stands up to rugged travel.
100% UV Protection
Always verify that the lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection (sometimes labeled as UV400). Darker lenses don’t necessarily mean better protection; in fact, dark lenses without UV filters are more dangerous because they cause the pupil to dilate, letting in more harmful light.
Durable and Lightweight Materials
For a nomadic lifestyle, durability is key. Look for:
- Polycarbonate lenses: These are impact-resistant and ideal for active kids.
- Advanced Lens Tech: Companies like Nikon Lenswear offer specialized coatings that provide enhanced UV protection even on the back surface of the lens.
Conclusion
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory for your holiday photos—they are a vital piece of travel gear. By investing in polarized lenses and sturdy frames for the whole family, you’re ensuring that the only thing you bring home from your trip are great memories, not eye damage.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
