We slather sun block on ourselves and our kids. We reapply it every two and are always searching for an ever high Sun Protection Factor, (SPF). But we could be doing more to protect our families from the sun’s damaging rays according to eye cancer specialist Dr. Paul Finger, Clinical Professor at the New York University School of Medicine. and the founder and head of www.eyecancer.com.
“Think of sunglasses as sun block for your eyes,” says Dr. Finger, “and just like good sun block, good glasses must meet certain criteria if they are to really protect your eyesâ€
Below are some tips from the good doctor to help us shop for the right shades.
1. You must see a UV—blocking label that is. Ultra Violet protection, (UV) coating is clear so it won’t affect what you see through the lens. 
Make sure that both your regular, clear glasses and your shades are UV coated in order to protect you from the sun’s frontal ray assault.
2. The Right Fit. “Make sure your sunglasses wrap around the face. Sun can peek in from the sides and above your frames so make sure that your spectacles fit well; this will foil the sun’s attempts to endanger your eyes,†per Finger.
3. Protection. For the athletic amongst us, glasses can be a good way to protect your eyes not just from the sun but from the inevitabilities of contact sports. “Strong frames and polycarbonate lenses offer the best protection against most flying objects,†says Finger, “and these lenses can be treated with a UV coating so you can participate in summer sports with impunity – at least from an ophthalmological perspective, suggests Finger.â€
4. Strap 
‘em On. Sunglasses are won’t do any good unless you actually wear them which means that you have to keep them nearby, a notoriously difficult task for tykes.
“Consider adding a strap for the back of glasses so that they don’t get lost in your children’s stuff,†says Finger a father of two.
5. If all else fails and your children won’t wear sunglasses then ever-realistic Dr. Finger has a practical alternative; “try the next best thing buy them a baseball hat, a hat with a brim or stick those kids under an umbrella. The ozone layer isn’t what it used to be.†.
So keep slathering on the sun block – and don’t forget to add the shades. â€
For more information on Dr. Paul Finger, www.eyecancer.com
