August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which is a great reminder for everyone that kids should be encouraged to care for their eyesight even at a young age. In this article, the Institute for Control of Eye Myopia in Children lists a few eye care tips for kids that every eye doctor from the organization recommends.
1. Ensure an Eye-Friendly Diet
Eye care starts from the inside, which means ensuring a healthy diet for your kids. Their eyes are still developing, so proper nourishment is crucial during their growing years. Their diet should contain nutrients such as zinc, lutein, vitamins C and E and omega-3 fatty acids to ensure their sense of sight becomes sharp and functional.
2. Have Their Eyes Checked Regularly
Regular visits to an eye clinic can have so many significant benefits to your children’s eye health. Through checkups, symptoms of eye conditions can be detected early allowing specialists to identify the problem and treat it.
For instance, nearsightedness, or myopia, usually develops during the early school years. Your kids may not complain of vision problems at first, but routine eye exams can reveal signs that aren’t easily noticeable. Moreover, children usually respond better to myopia control treatments than adults. So the earlier you catch it, the better.
3. Limit Their Exposure to Computer Screens and Other Gadgets
Staring at such devices for long hours can damage your kids’ eyes. Make sure they’re using computers, tablets and mobile phones in moderation. Otherwise, they may experience eye strain, dry eyes, blurry vision and headaches among others.
4. Have Them Wear Protective Eyewear When Outdoors
Another thing that every optometrist would typically recommend is protecting children’s eyes with sunglasses. Too much exposure from the sun’s UV rays isn’t safe for anyone’s eyes. It can even result in eye damage and deterioration. Ensure that your children’s sunglasses are capable of absorbing 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays.
To learn about your child’s specific needs to keep their eyes healthy and safe, contact a local eye doctor or myopia control specialist and schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
