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Children's Eye Health & Eye Safety Awareness Month

Did you know there are approximately 12 million children who suffer from vision impairment? With so many of our children being afflicted, it’s important we all pay attention to kids’ eye safety and eye health, especially during August which is Children’s Eye Health & Eye Safety Awareness month.

Here are some ways you can make sure you’re in tune with your child’s vision, and keep them from eye injury now and throughout their lives.

 

Have a Conversation

It might sound simple, but positive eye care habits can be instilled in children starting with a simple chat with Mom or Dad. Tell your kids about the importance of their vision, and what they can do every day to keep their eyes in tip-top shape, like:

  • Eating nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables to help protect their eyes from the inside out
  • Always being gentle whenever touching their face near their eyes
  • Pointing sharp objects (like scissors) downward, if they ever have to walk with them, so they limit the chance of eye injury should they fall

Also, make sure to model good hygiene for your children, like washing your hands before putting your contacts in. Kids learn a lot by the habits we demonstrate every day.


Concerned? Tell your Doctor

Your child’s pediatrician should examine their eyes during well-child visits, starting around age three. If they have a concern, or if there’s something you’re worried about, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor who can conduct appropriate testing.

Warning signs to watch out for include crossed or wandering eyes, a family history of childhood vision problems, squinting when looking at the TV or making comments about objects looking blurry or cloudy. As with most medical issues, early detection is usually when the most help can be done, so make sure to book an appointment at the first potential sign of a problem.


Provide a First Line of Defense

Children in the U.S. love playing sports, and activities are great for them and their physical health. But unfortunately, there about 42,000 sports-related eye injuries every year in America, primarily occurring in children. Worse yet, eye injuries are the leading cause of vision loss in children. Keep your kids’ eyes safe from eye injury by getting them properly equipped with protective eyewear for sports and recreational activities.

Also, make sure to buy toys that don’t have any sharp or protruding parts that could be damaging to the eyes.

So this month, during Children’s Eye Health & Eye Safety Awareness month, take special note of your children’s vision and eye health. Schedule an appointment if you have any concerns, and be sure to purchase protective eyewear for your kids who are involved in sports or other activities.

There’s a lot you can do to preserve your little ones’ vision and eye health, and these are some great places to start. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your child or yourself, please contact us.