According to recent data from The Vision Council, adult Americans are becoming more aware of the importance of sunglasses. For instance, almost 80% of respondents said that they own between one and four pairs, while 71% said they use them regularly. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be a trend that extends to children.

In fact, more than two-thirds of parents said that they’d only really be more encouraging of their kids using sunglasses if they understood the larger risks that children’s eyes face.

Particularly in terms of sun exposure, children’s eyes let in more UV, which can lead to various issues, such as corneal sunburns and even ocular melanoma. As if that wasn’t enough reason for kids to use sunglasses, evidence suggests that kids experience up to three times more sun exposure than adults, on average.

That said, choosing the right pair of sunnies for a child is not necessarily the same as it would be for adults, given their developing eyes and lifestyle. As such, here are three things to keep in mind when picking a pair for your own little one.

Find the Right Type of Lenses

Per a recent report from National Geographic, many kids’ sunglasses can be misleading because they don’t actually offer any real protective qualities. Instead, most just feature lenses that are tinted dark to provide the illusion of sun safety. With this, make it a point to look for shades that are labeled with 100% UVA/UVB protection or UV400. Additionally, if your child already has refractive errors, it’s worth considering prescription sunglasses, too.

Available from trusted brands such as Ray-Ban, these come with lenses that offer protection and correction. As a result, they ensure that your child’s ocular treatments don’t have to be put on hold for the sake of using sunnies whenever they’re outside. This is especially helpful today, considering that more kids are reporting vision impairments, with myopia alone affecting around 36% of this demographic.

Consider the Frame Shape

Another common theme you’ll find in the more widely available novelty shades for kids is playful frame shapes. While these may be fun to wear, they may not offer any real coverage for kids’ delicate eyes and eye area. With this in mind, try to steer your child into wearing frames that are wraparounds instead. For instance, brand Under Armour’s line of sporty shades for kids features this frame style to ensure that no pesky glare or UV light is able to creep in from the sides or above the lenses.

This is essential, especially given that UV radiation is so harsh that up to 80% can still penetrate the body even on cloudy days, as noted in our previous post about sunscreens. As an added benefit, these frames offer a more seamless field of vision that kids won’t have to worry about adjusting to.

Invest in Fitting Materials

For many kids, using eyewear, in general, is irritating because it fits poorly or feels too cumbersome. Children with more sensory sensitivities, especially, are likely to avoid using sunglasses. To make this habit more appealing then, it helps to opt for shades that are made with lightweight yet durable materials.

Performance brand Oakley, for example, is known to use their own proprietary frame materials that don’t feel weighted down even after extended wear. This is why its sports shades have become a staple for many high-profile athletes, too. Since they’re also meant to be hardwearing, they can keep up with above-average use, which can be just as perfect for active kids as it is for elite sportspersons.

For children, it’s also worth noting that some shades are made with special ear socks and nose pads that add a more secure fit while also preventing the frames from digging into the skin. With these materials, it may help keep kids feeling more confident and comfortable with sunglasses.