Eye care is vital to our children’s health, especially in the heat of the summer. As the weather warms up, children spend more time outdoors – leaving them exposed and vulnerable to harmful UV-rays.
It is important to ensure children are protected from sun exposure, humidity and dehydration to help reduce the risk of vision loss. It is also important for parents to understand that proper eye care includes UV protection year around. Be sure to look for UVA and UVB protection in sunglasses and goggles.
If your child plays any contact sports this summer, they are also at risk for eye injuries. For example, sports-related head injuries that could lead to concussions and vision problems such as:
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Double vision
- Pain in or around the eyes
- Poor reading comprehension
- Sensitivity to light
If you need help instilling the importance of eye health into your children’s daily routine this summer, here are 5 of the best children’s eye safety tips to promote healthy eye care habits.
Take You Kids for Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are essential for making sure your children’s eyes are healthy. Not only does this give any indicators you need for prescription glasses, it also builds in a healthy routine for your kids. It will encourage them to be more mindful of the way they look after their eyes.
Wear Sunglasses with UV Protection
Sunglasses are essential for protecting eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunglasses should be worn whenever children are outdoors during the daytime and this should be a practice that comes as second nature to the whole family. Among the best children eye safety tips, it’s important for parents to set a good example — even during the winter time.
For the best protection, choose sunglasses with 100-percent protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember to wear them every day, even on cloudy days.
Wear Googles at the Pool or Beach
Chlorine and other chemicals used to sterilize the pool can wash away the moisture in your eye. Without goggles, eyes are exposed to harmful pool chemicals and lingering bacteria. Chlorine can cause the surface and edges of your eyes red, itchy, watery and uncomfortable. Bacteria lingering in the pool can lead to an eye infection.
Salt, microorganism, bacteria, and debris from sand and pollution at the beach can cause eye irritation and infection. Goggles minimize the amount of sea water that your eyes are exposed to.
Encourage Cleanliness and Hygiene
Proper cleanliness and hygiene is something that most parents are vigilant about, but it’s important to remember this mentality extends to the eyes as well. We all remind our kids to brush their teeth but washing their hands is the best way to protect from the spread of communicable diseases such as conjunctivitis.
Before your child applies any sunscreen or topical treatment to or near the eye, make sure they wash their hands and avoid rubbing their eyes.
Eat a Healthy Diet and Stay Hydrated
Eye health starts with a good diet. It’s not just carrots that help your eye sight — dark green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts and dark-colored berries all contain essential nutrients and antioxidants that will do wonders for your eyes. Vitamin A, for example, is commonly found in bright yellow and orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes. Fruits like strawberries, oranges and mangoes provide vitamin C and other antioxidants, which also help fight eye disease. Salmon and other cold-water fish are also high in omega 3s — good for tear production, which relieves dry eyes.
In addition, it is important to stay hydrated. During the summer, children are more likely to become dehydrated, which can make it harder for the body to produce tears, leading to dry eyes and other vision problems. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water each day can prevent negative effects of dehydration.
Safer Vision
For a consultation towards healthy vision, or for more children’s eye safety tips, contact Advanced Eye Medical today. We are standing by to answer any of your concerns, and to help you get your vision back to where you want it. Join our growing family of happy customers who trust us with their eyes.