Caring for Your Child's eyes!

Caring for your child's eyes!

 

Like many parts of the body, it is easy to forget about taking care of the eyes—unless something goes wrong. Unfortunately, when something actually goes wrong, it can be too late.

Consider these five ways that you can help protect your child’s eyes:

1. Schedule Regular Eye Exams 

 – If your child does not wear glasses, you may forget to schedule an appointment to check their eyes. However, even those children who have never needed eye care in the past may need it in the future. For children who do not wear glasses, going for an exam once a year is recommended. Those who have eye problems may need more frequent exams.

2. Have Your Child Wear His or Her Glasses

  – If your child has been prescribed glasses or contacts, it is important that he or she wears them every day. You will find that when your child wears his glasses, he performs better at school and in extracurricular activities. Talk to your child’s eye doctor about when he or she should be wearing glasses and follow this advice.

 

3. Sun Protection – When your child is playing or working outdoors, you should encourage him or her to wear sunglasses. Additionally, teach your child not to look directly into the sun. Taking care around the sun can help your child have healthier eyes well into the future.

 

4. Rest the Eyes – With today’s tech-savvy world, it can be easy for your child to spend many hours a day in front of the television or computer screen. Encourage him or her to spend plenty of time each day on “non-screen” activities to give the eyes a break from this harsh lighting.

 

5. Wear Safety Equipment – When your child is playing sports, or engaging in risky activities, make certain he or she wears the appropriate safety gear. This could include goggles while swimming, protective helmets for contact sports and even lab goggles when working on science or art projects that involve harsh chemicals. This equipment can help to prevent tragic eye accidents.