Eye Health For Kids
Back-to-school is a great time to get your kids’ eyes checked.
Children’s eyes can change quickly as they grow, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says, and you should have their vision checked regularly. The academy also recommends vision screenings in preschool, as children enter elementary school, if they are experiencing a vision problem, and before and during growth hormone therapy.
FARSIGHTEDNESS
Many school-aged children are farsighted, the academy says, but in most cases, they don’t need glasses. They can generally accommodate by using their focusing muscles and, as children grow, the farsightedness will improve on its own. Significant farsightedness, however, can lead to strabismus and amblyopia if not corrected. Strabismus, or crossed eyes, is when your eyes do not line up properly and may point in different directions. Amblyopia is lazy eye, when vision doesn’t develop in one eye properly.
SCREEN TIME
Limiting screen time may lower the risk of myopia, or nearsightedness and digital eye strain. Encourage children to practice the 20-20-20 rule. Look up from the screen every 20 minutes and focus at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blue light isn’t necessarily dangerous for your children’s eyes, the academy says, but it may cause sleep problems.
SIGNS OF VISION PROBLEMS
The academy says that an ophthalmologist appointment should be made if you notice:
• A quick loss of interest in activities that require eye use.
• Losing your place when reading.
• Turning the head to look at something in front of you.
Some photos can help diagnose children’s eye problems. Problems can be signaled by a red reflex or reflection of the camera flash off the retina. A white, yellow or black reflection in one or both eyes is abnormal and can be a warning sign for the presence of an eye condition.
EYE INJURIES
More than 90% of children’s eye injuries can be prevented with protective goggles, the academy says. Children should wear sports eye protectors for baseball, basketball, football, racquet sports, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, paintball and other activities with a risk of eye injury.
If children wear contacts, talk to them about properly caring for their lenses and their eyes. Improper contact lens care can lead to impaired vision or even blindness.