Your child’s eyes are an vital part of their development. If you are able to catch certain eye concerns early on, you may be able to prevent them from developing into something worse.
Your child’s eyes and ability to visualize the world around them is important to you. Continue reading for tips on your child’s eye and vision care.
1. Regular Check-Ups
There’s a reason that your health care provider recommends regular eye check-ups for your child. This is to ensure your child’s eyes are developing correctly and safely.
Children will often have vision screenings at school or their health care provider will test their eyesight at their office. This can help you spot any vision impairments early on. Eye care for kids is especially important for spotting issues early on.
Some signs that it is time to seek a comprehensive eye exam include failing a vision screening, if your child complains of issues or has a family history of eye problems, plus if the child has a learning disability, developmental delay, neuropsychological condition or behavioral issue.
2. Wear Sunglasses
Protect your child’s eyes from the sun by having them wear sunglasses that fit them. When your eyes are exposed to the sun it causes damage and also raises the risk of cataracts.
Be sure the sunglasses block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.
3. Protective Eye Wear
Certain sports or activities could endanger your child’s eyes. That is why wearing protective eyewear is so important. Don’t risk a potential eye injury at a young age when protective eyewear could’ve prevented it.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet
Your child’s overall health, weight, and diet can affect their eyes. Therefore you should be sure they are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are highly recommended.
Eating fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon or tuna, have been shown to contribute to eye health. Teaching them how to eat nutritious foods will encourage a lifetime of healthy eating.
5. Sleep Well
Another whole-body approach to healthier eyes is teaching your child healthy sleeping habits. Teach your child to go to bed around the same time every night.
Be sure to keep their room quiet, dark, and cool. Consistent mealtimes and avoiding caffeine is another way to promote better sleep hygiene. Avoid big meals or exercise right before bed. This will promote a consistent bedtime routine to help them get a full night’s sleep.
6. Limited Screen Time
Your child may be experiencing eye strain if they spend a lot of time staring at screens such as computers, tablets, and cell phones. This is especially true at night which can also lead to poor sleep.
Over time this can damage your child’s eyes. This includes having issues with focusing, dry and irritated eyes, headaches, and blurry vision.
In addition to limiting the amount of time a child is staring at a screen, you can use an anti-glare screen. Instead of screen time, encourage your child to spend time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and getting physically active.
Eye and Vision Care for Kids
Now that you’re aware of some of the ways you can provide eye and vision care for your children, you’ll be better able to protect your child’s eyes as they develop into healthy adults.
We hope you found these tips helpful. If you’re looking for more ways to better your life check out our other articles.
