Once upon a time, a baby wearing sunglasses was merely a chance for a cute snapshot. Now, some eye doctors say parents should start putting sunglasses on babies as young as 9 months to protect their eyes. The cumulative effect of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays can cause early cataracts, these experts say. Other eye doctors are skeptical, saying no medical studies link childhood sun exposure to later eye disease.

Weighing the evidence, many parents will decide to err on the side of caution. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Ophthamology for protecting babies’ and children’s eyes:

¢ Look for sunglasses that offer protection from UVA and UVB, two types of ultraviolet light that can injure the eye. Cheap sunglasses, without UV protection, actually do more harm than good because tinted lenses cause the pupils to dilate, letting in damaging UV rays.

¢ Choose frames made from polycarbonates, which are less likely to break. Look for acrylic or other scratch-resistant lens material.

¢ Select frames with a built-in saddle for the nose. They’re more durable than ones with adjustable nose pads

¢ Be aware that light-colored eyes have less pigment and are more sensitive to the sun.