Ray-Ban Wayfarer is the product line manufactured by the popular eyewear brand, Ray-Ban, since 1958.
The design is very iconic that famous celebrities, such as Audrey Hepburn and John Kennedy, were often seen wearing this.
The Ray-Ban Wayfarer Junior is the latest addition to their collection.
Ray-Ban said that they designed this eyewear for the kids who are never too young to be iconic and timeless.
However, the question still remains: Is it a must-have item for your kid? Let us find out!
Why Does Your Kid Need Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are often seen as “adult” items that kids don’t have a need of. But that’s just not true.
When on a vacation, kids are the first ones to run to the beach and the last ones to leave. Playing for hours under the sun exposes their eyes to several health problems.
1. Protection Against Sun-Related Health Problems
The muscles and nerves around the eyes are fragile and can be damaged by many stress factors.
One of the most significant factors that can damage your kid’s eyesight is prolonged exposure to sunlight without proper protection.
Wearing a pair of top-quality sunglasses is one of the most practical ways to protect your child’s eyes from too much exposure to sunlight.
To know whether sunglasses are top-quality or just some cheap knock offs, you always have to start by assessing its protection limits.
Top-quality sunglasses have 100% UVA/UVB protection offered by its materials.
With this, you can be confident that your child’s eyes will not be damaged by the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays.
These sun-related health problems include skin cancer, cataracts and glaucoma, macular degeneration, and pterygium.
- Skin Cancer – The skin that you can find around your eyes is very thin, which is the reason why it is super sensitive to sunlight.
According to medical research, 10% of skin cancer is found close to the eyes.
If your child wears UV-protective wraparound sunglasses with big lenses, both your child’s eye and skin will be protected. - Cataracts and Glaucoma – If your child’s eye is often exposed to the sun’s UV rays, then there is a huge possibility that cataract will form in his/her eyes when he/she gets old. The Glaucoma Research Foundation found out that the major factor contributing to cataracts is the prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
- Macular Degeneration –This is a condition where a part of your child’s retina, which is known as the “macula”, degenerates. If it does, it will result in an impaired vision. It even translates to blindness in many cases. Moreover, you should take note that there are certain types of UV radiation that can hasten up this process, so encouraging your child to wear sunglasses will protect him/her.
- Pterygium – This condition is more commonly known as the “Surfer’s Eye”. It is a growth on the eyeball, and while it is not considered a serious condition, it can be super painful and annoying.
The most common treatments include eye drops, steroids, or worse, surgery. If you don’t want it to come to this point, doctors recommend sunglasses with UV protection. This is the best way to prevent pterygium!
2. Protection Against Elements
- Snow –The components of snow reflect more than 70% of UV rays, and when your kid stares too much on the snow itself, he/she may catch “snow blindness”.This condition may slowly burn down your corneas.Therefore, if you are living in snowy regions, make sure to make your child wear protective eyewear like sunglasses when the sun is out.
- Sand –This element is very fine and very easily enter your child’s eyes.They are also super sharp.When you look at a piece of sand under a microscopic lens, you will notice that it looks like shards of glass.So, when it enters your child’s eye, it can scratch their eyes and cause permanent damage. Wearing sunglasses is the best way to prevent sand from entering your kid’s eyes.
- Wind and Dust – Wind can carry dust particles that can be irritating when it enters your child’s eyes.Encouraging your kid to wear sunglasses will keep his/her eyes safe from these elements.
Things to Consider When Looking for Sunglasses for Your Kid
To make sure that you will be able to get the best sunglass for your child, here are some tips:
- Shop with your child so you know his/her preferences. When your kid likes what he/she is wearing, he/she will surely be more encouraged to wear it. It can also be a chance to have fun and bond!
- Choose lightweight polycarbonate lenses that have 100% UVA and UVB protection. These lenses have maximum impact resistance.
- Look for a frame that is lightweight, flexible, and has a wraparound coverage so your child will feel comfortable while wearing it.
- Buy from trusted brands. Ray-Ban is one of the most popular brands of eyewear for good reasons. It can last for decades, and it’s durable enough to handle kids’ rough use.
Ray-Ban Wayfarer for Kids: What Are the Options?
In this section, we will discuss the different features of Ray-Ban Wayfarer for kids so you can better appreciate the product and see if it is really a must-have item!
To start this, you may first want to know how the junior version is different from the regular Ray-Ban pairs.
The most notable difference is the size. Of course, the Ray-Ban Wayfarer is much smaller because it is made for kids.
Other than that, there are not so many differences – Wayfarer for kids benefit from the same quality and style that Wayfarers have always been known for.
size
You can find the Ray-Ban Wayfarer in different sizes. Here is a sizing guide:
- Adult X-Large- 62mm+
- Adult Large- 54mm – 61mm
- Adult Small to Medium Range- 49mm – 53mm
- Adult Small– 47mm- 48mm
- Junior- 40mm – 46mm
To know which size will fit your kid well, do the credit card trick.
To do this, take a credit card and put the edge of the credit card on the middle of your nose bridge.
Make sure that you are using the shorter side of your card.
If the other edge touches the end of your eye, your kid or you should settle for the standard size.
On the other hand, if it is too long and extends beyond the end of the eye, the junior size will fit you or your child better.
Lastly, if the other edge didn’t reach the end of your eye, then it means that you should go for the large size.
The Ray-Ban Wayfarer for kids can fit children up to 11 years old. But if your child’s face is generally smaller even if he/she is already past this age, this sunglass will surely still fit him/her!
Color
They are not available in men and women versions.
They are unisex eyewear, but the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Junior is available in four colorways, which can fit your preferences if you have a daughter or a son:
- Black frame, grey gradient lenses
- Red frame, blue gradient flash lenses
- Tortoise frame, brown gradient lenses
- Purple-reddish frame, copper gradient mirror lenses
Material
The frame of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer for Kids is made from injected cellulose acetate.
This material is very lightweight and hypoallergenic. This means that your child will be comfortable in wearing it.
Furthermore, this won’t easily deteriorate and become brittle. It is actually quite flexible, so if you have a child who is rough about wearing eyeglasses, this one won’t easily break down.
Also, since it is made of cellulose acetate, it can withstand getting wet and being exposed under the blazing heat of the sun as this material is not flammable.
The lenses, on the other hand, are made of Ray-Ban’s famous polarized lenses.
It boasts of four benefits, which includes: elimination of glares, increased visual clarity, enhanced contrast, and reduced eye strains.
Ray-Ban’s polarized lenses are found to block 99% of reflected light! This technology makes the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Junior prescription ready!
Style
Who wouldn’t want to wear the iconic Ray-Ban style, right?
It can suit any casual or formal attire! Your child can wear it almost anywhere: going to the park or malls, attending a birthday party, and many more.
The gradient lens is actually a very trendy design nowadays.
The gradient-mirror lenses that the Ray-Ban Wayfarer Junior features a combined mirror and base lens color that creates a two-toned faded effect. Your child will surely enjoy this style.
Getting a Rayban Wayfarer Junior for your child is not just about because of its iconic design, but also because of its protective features.
Encourage your child to wear sunglasses more often. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure!