Itchy, watery or sensitive eyes can make being outdoors much less enjoyable for children, particularly during brighter days or when pollen levels are high.
For some children, this may be a relatively mild seasonal eye allergy. Others may have a diagnosed form of allergic eye disease such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis, known as VKC. VKC mainly affects children and young people and can cause more significant symptoms, including intense itching, redness, watering and sensitivity to light.
Sunglasses cannot treat eye allergies or VKC, and they should never replace any treatment or advice provided by your child’s eye-care professional. However, the right sunglasses may help make outdoor time more comfortable by reducing bright light and glare and creating a physical barrier around the eyes.
Here’s what parents need to know...
What are eye allergies in children?
Eye allergies happen when the eyes react to substances in the environment. Symptoms can include itching, redness, watering, soreness and irritation.
Allergic eye disease in children includes a range of conditions, from seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis to less common conditions such as VKC and atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
If your child mainly experiences itchy or watery eyes during pollen season, you may also find our guide to choosing sunglasses for a child with hay fever helpful.
What is VKC?
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a more serious form of allergic eye disease that particularly affects children and young people.
Children with VKC may experience symptoms including:
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intense itching
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red or watery eyes
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irritation or soreness
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sticky or stringy discharge
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sensitivity to bright light, also known as photophobia
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discomfort or pain in more significant cases
Research reviews of VKC identify itching, watering and light sensitivity among its characteristic symptoms.
Unlike a mild seasonal eye allergy, VKC can sometimes involve the cornea, the clear surface at the front of the eye. It is therefore important that children with suspected or diagnosed VKC are appropriately assessed and monitored by an eye-care professional.
For more detailed medical information, parents can read the Moorfields Eye Hospital guide to paediatric allergy in the eye or Allergy UK’s guide to VKC.
Can sunglasses help children with eye allergies or VKC?
Sunglasses do not treat eye allergies or VKC. However, they may help some children feel more comfortable outside by reducing bright light and glare and providing additional coverage from wind, pollen and other airborne particles.
Moorfields Eye Hospital includes wearing sunglasses and a sun hat among its practical advice for reducing exposure in children with allergic eye disease.
Here's why sunglasses can be useful as part of an everyday outdoor routine.
1. They can reduce bright light and glare
Light sensitivity can be particularly noticeable for children with VKC. A child might squint, shield their eyes or simply find very bright environments uncomfortable.
Tinted sunglasses reduce the amount of visible light reaching the eyes, which can make outdoor environments feel more comfortable.
Glare may be especially noticeable around water, sand, wet roads and other reflective surfaces. Polarised or mirrored lenses can help reduce reflected glare, while standard tinted lenses can be a good option for everyday outdoor use.
If you are unsure which lens to choose, read our guide to Snugsee children’s sunglasses lenses.
2. Wraparound sunglasses provide more coverage
Traditional fashion sunglasses leave sizeable gaps at the sides, top and bottom of the frame.
A wraparound shape sits closer around the eye area, providing more coverage from different angles. For children affected by outdoor irritants, this can provide an additional physical barrier between their eyes and things such as pollen, wind and dust.
Sunglasses can't completely seal the eyes or guarantee that allergens and irritants will be kept out but the aim is to provide more coverage and reduce some of the direct exposure around the eye area.
This is one reason wraparound sunglasses can be particularly useful for children with sensitive eyes.
Our Snug Fit children's wraparound sunglasses combine a wraparound frame with soft Snug Shield padding designed to minimise gaps between the sunglasses and the face.
3. Sunglasses may also discourage eye rubbing
Anyone who has watched a child with itchy eyes knows how difficult it can be to stop them rubbing.
Sunglasses are not a solution to eye rubbing, but having a frame covering the eye area can provide a small physical reminder before little hands reach the eyes.
If your child regularly rubs their eyes because of an allergy or VKC, speak to their eye-care professional about how best to manage their symptoms.
What should you look for in sunglasses for sensitive or allergy-prone eyes?
Focus on finding comfortable children's sunglasses that your child is happy to wear and that provide good coverage.
Look for a wraparound fit
Frames that curve around the face generally leave fewer large gaps than flatter fashion-style sunglasses.
For children who need even closer coverage, a padded frame can further reduce open space around the eyes. Check out our Snug Fit range specially designed for children with sensitive eyes.
Choose the right size
Fit is important. Sunglasses that are too big may slide down the nose or create larger gaps, while frames that are too small can become uncomfortable.
Snugsee sunglasses are available in 3 child-specific sizes so you can choose a frame appropriate for your child rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all design.
For extra security, especially during active play, you can also add a head strap to help keep the sunglasses securely in place and maintain a closer, more consistent fit around the face.
You can also read our Snug Fit vs Classic Fit guide if you're unsure which style is best.
Make sure they have UV protection
UV protection is important for children's eyes regardless of whether they have allergies.
All Snugsee sunglasses use UV400 Category 3 lenses, designed for bright everyday outdoor conditions.
Remember that UV protection and light sensitivity are different things. The darkest-looking lens is not necessarily the best option for every child. Comfort, environment and glare should also be considered.
Most importantly, choose sunglasses they will actually wear!
Even sunglasses with excellent coverage aren't much help sitting in a backpack.
Comfortable frames, a secure fit and colours your child likes can all make regular wear easier.
For younger children, allowing them to choose their favourite colour or personalise their sunglasses can also help make wearing them feel like a positive choice rather than something they have to do.
Other ways to make outdoor time more comfortable
Sunglasses can be just one part of an outdoor routine for children with eye allergies or VKC.
Depending on your child's condition and the advice given by their healthcare professional, simple measures might include:
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wearing a peaked cap or sun hat in bright conditions
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staying in shaded areas on particularly bright days
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avoiding obvious eye rubbing
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washing hands and face after outdoor play
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checking pollen levels if pollen is a known trigger
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following their prescribed eye-drop or treatment routine
When should you seek medical advice?
A child with persistent, significant or worsening eye symptoms should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
This is particularly important with VKC because the condition can sometimes affect the cornea. Seek professional advice if you are concerned about your child's eyes, particularly if they experience eye pain, worsening vision or severe sensitivity to light.
Helping children with eye allergies enjoy being outdoors
For children with sensitive or allergy-prone eyes, little changes can make outdoor adventures feel easier.
Sunglasses can help reduce bright light and glare and provide greater physical coverage around the eyes.
And when sunglasses are comfortable, colourful and designed specifically for children, getting them to actually keep them on can become a whole lot easier!
Ready to find a pair designed for little faces and sensitive eyes? Explore Snugsee wraparound children's sunglasses and find the right fit for your child.