DEAR ABBY: I live in Arizona where the temperature can hit 100 degrees and we get 300-plus days of sunshine every year. I always have my 5-month-old son wear his sunglasses when he goes outside, and I get the most asinine comments from total strangers! Everything from "Can I have his autograph?" to "Does he think he's cool?" How can they be so dumb? People, tiny eyes need protection too! -- A NEW MOMMY
DEAR NEW MOMMY: The individuals you describe aren't "dumb"; they are making a failed attempt at humor. However, I showed your letter to Beverly Hills ophthalmologist Peter Cornell, M.D., who told me:
"It's ideal for everyone -- regardless of age -- to protect their eyes from ultraviolet light. And it's advisable for babies to be protected when they're outside. But it is not as 'crucial' with children as it is for older individuals, because their bodies are better able to repair oxidative damage. That said, ultraviolet light is not the friend of anyone's eyes."