Yes. That's me circa 1969 on a Long Island, N.Y. beach. And those are my mother's sunglasses perched precariously (and upside down) on my little, yet-to-be-fully developed nose bridge.

I always loved playing dress up. Having two older sisters I was fair game for some pretty entertaining ensembles. Sunglasses many times were a key component. I loved putting them on and hamming it up, whether it was my Mom's Jackie Os or my Dad's prescription G-man Wayfarers.

But I didn't decide to dig up this old photograph of me just to show you how cute I was. Recently Australia made the news here in the States because some of their schools have made it compulsory for their students, kindergarten through grade six, to wear sunglasses when playing outside. The Aussies have been aware of the dangers of sun exposure for a while. The country has an ongoing health campaign since the '80s called "Slip-Slop-Slap" that later included "Wrap"... as in slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunnies (as they refer to shades down under).

There is good reason for concern as this info culled from a recent CE course, "Children Need Sunglasses," which ran in the May issue of 20/20, illustrates. At birth, the lens of the eye is almost 95 percent transparent and as the crystalline lens begins to yellow, the amount of UV rays penetrating it decreases. Even by age eight the lens is 75 percent clear. Not until the age of 25 does less than 20 percent of UV rays reach the retina. UV radiation as well as blue light is suspected of causing irreversible damage, which can eventually lead to such retinal diseases as age-related macular degeneration. Most of this damaging exposure occurs before the age of 10.

So why aren't parents more concerned about making sure their children wear sunglasses? Eyecare professionals need to get the message across that protecting children's eyes from harmful UV rays is just as important as protecting their skin. Have printed material available about the dangers of sun exposure to young eyes available next to a fun display of children's sunwear. There are some great sun products being made for little ones that are not expensive. Discuss photochromics or clips as options when kids come in for their prescription. This is not about selling up. This is about being a good wellness provider.

Besides, most kids like sunglasses. They're cool. Just ask Little Jackie.

-Jackie Micucci, 20/20 Executive Editor