sensitive eyes, an Island optometrist warned yesterday.

She explained: "My professional opinion is that -- as a child grows -- if you put them in sunglasses too early, it reduces the production of natural pigment in the eyes.

"And that means they can become permanently light-sensitive and dependent on sunglasses.

"Sunglasses are not a good idea for very young children.'' And Dr. Yvette Swan recommended regular use of sunglasses should be restricted to youngsters aged 16 and over.

Dr. Swan's claim came after last Friday's National Sunglasses Day, sponsored by the Bermuda, TB, Cancer and Health Association and an Island newspaper, which aimed to promote the use of sunglasses by children.

Dr. Swan said: "It's a pity they didn't come to the professionals first. I would certainly advise against sunglasses for children under 16.'' She added that parents of young patients often complained when spectacle lenses were provided by her practice untinted.

Dr. Swan said: "I don't want a child to be dependent on sunglasses and sensitive to bright light because they wore sunglasses too early.'' But Dorothy Swan of the TB, Cancer and Health Association said she had obtained information from the American Academy of Opthamology before launching the promotion day.

And she said the Association recommended the use of sunglasses and a cap in bright sunlight.

She added the aim of the special day was not to put kids behind shades all the time.

As part of the day's events, Ms Swan visited a Warwick primary school and a pre-school to promote both sunglasses and the "slip, slap, slop'' campaign to get children to cover up and use sunscreen.

"But children do need protection for their eyes from the sun -- nobody wears a hat all the time either,'' said Ms Swan. "I don't think they would be wearing them all the time, like adults do.'' Ms Swan admitted there was similar controversy about the use of sunblocks -- because of chemicals in them.

But she added: "You have to weigh the risks -- and children, when they're out in the sun for a long time, squint like everybody else.

"Dr. Swan is talking about regular use -- children don't really use sunglasses regularly.'' Newspaper advertisements publicising National Sunglasses Day read: "Parents -- kids should wear sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses when in the bright sun.

"And buy the kids' sunglasses as you would your own, making sure they offer 99-percent or 100-percent UV protection.'' Ms Swan said even adults did not realise they could damage their eyes by exposing them to bright sun.

And she said medical experts were increasingly worried about the incidence of cataracts caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun.

Doctors in Britain have also discovered an increase in cancers of the eyes -- put down to people overdoing exposure to the sun on holidays in sunny climates.

She added: "It's very important for adults to know what kind of sunglasses to buy.

"A lot of stores sell fashion sunglasses and people are misled into thinking they offer proper protection.

"It's very important to read the labels and make sure they offer 100-percent UV protection.''