August 2018 – Children’s eye health and safety month

Back to school! Good vision and overall eye health are vital to learning

Back-to-school time is just around the corner, and the scramble to buy school clothes and new pencils, backpacks and notebooks will begin. Ophthalmologists remind busy parents not to neglect one of the most important learning tools: their children’s eyes.

Good vision and overall eye health are vital to learning. E-Z Optical joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in emphasizing the importance of healthy vision to academic success during Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month in August.

Because children are still growing, being vigilant about eye health is important. The earlier that problems are identified, the sooner they can be addressed. For children to maintain healthy eyes and vision throughout the school year, E-Z Optical and the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend the following four tips:

  1. Get regular childhood vision screenings – Children’s eyes change rapidly, making regular vision screenings an important step in detecting and correcting eye problems early. In addition to screenings for infants, the Academy recommends further vision screening for children when they are:
    • Pre-school age, between age 3 and 3 and a half
    • Entering school
    • Experiencing a possible vision problem

For school-age children, a vision screening – which is less comprehensive than a dilated eye examination by an ophthalmologist, can be performed by a pediatrician, family physician, nurse or trained technician during regular checkups. If the screening detects a problem, the child may need to see an ophthalmologist – an eye physician and surgeon – or other eye care professional.

  1. Know and share your family eye health history – Everyone should find out whether eye conditions or diseases run in their family. Parents should share that information with the person performing the screening when possible. Examples of common eye conditions include nearsightedness, crossed eye, known as strabismus, and lazy eye, known as amblyopia. If these are not treated in childhood, they can cause permanent vision loss in one eye.
  1. Watch for signals of eye problems – Parents should be alert to symptoms that could indicate an eye or vision problem, such as complaints of eyestrain, headaches and squinting when reading or performing other common activities. Other symptoms to look for include a white or grayish-white coloring in the pupil, one eye that turns in or out, or eyes that do not track in sync together.
  2. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports – Eye injuries while playing sports can cause serious damage, whether by getting smacked with an elbow during basketball or hit with a hockey stick. If your child plays racket sports, hockey, field hockey, baseball or basketball, consider having them wear goggles or other certified protective eyewear.

Visit the Academy’s website to learn more about common childhood eye conditions.

Healthy Vision Tips for Kids (The National Eye Institute)

Healthy Vision Tips for Kids (The National Eye Institute) - nei for kids logoHealthy Vision Tips For Kids!

Healthy vision starts with you! Use these 10 tips to take care of your eyes. More information can be found at The National Eye Institute.

1. Eat right to protect your sight.

Keep your eyes healthy by eating a well-balanced diet. Load up on different types of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. Fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut have been shown to help your eyes, too.

2. Get moving.

Did you know that kids who exercise often have a healthier body weight than kids who don’t? Being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk for diabetes and other conditions that can lead to vision problems.

3. Speak up if your vision changes.

Is your vision blurry? Do you squint a lot? Ever have trouble seeing things at school? Tell a parent or teacher if your eyes are bothering you or if you notice any changes in your vision.

4. Wear your glasses.

Your glasses help you see better, especially when they’re clean and free of smudges. Talk to an adult about how to clean your glasses and how to store them when you’re not wearing them.

5. Keep the germs away.

Always wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes, especially if you’re putting in or taking out contact lenses.

6. Gear Up.

Playing your favorite sport? Using chemicals during science class? Mowing the lawn? Wear the right protection to keep your eyes safe. Many eye injuries can be prevented with better safety habits, such as using protective eyewear.

7. Wear your shades.

The sun’s rays can hurt your eyes. Choose sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. And remember, you should never look directly at the sun.

8. Give your eyes a break.

Do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen? Staring at any one thing for too long can tire your eyes. Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

9. Say no to smoking.

Did you know that smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is the rest of your body? Smoking can put you at risk for some pretty serious eye issues, which can lead to blindness.

10. Talk about it.

Does anyone in your family have issues with their eyes? Not sure? Ask! Talking about eye health with your family can help all of you stay healthy.