The council has joined with the Victorian body and the SunSmart campaign to encourage the wearing of sunglasses for children as young as 18 months. The move comes as most children are about to return to school. Executive director Lawson Ride said ultraviolet radiation could cause as much damage, some permanent, to the eyes as it does to the skin.
Sunglasses also protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
Michael Treplin, Tasmanian chairman of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, said children of all ages could wear sunglasses. He said parents should not become over-anxious about the issue. Dr Treplin said a peaked cap or baseball cap could provide good protection from glare.