Top Five Healthy Eye Habits For Kids
It is no surprise we are all about taking care of our eyes. These tips are easy to implement and maintain and can make you feel better about how your child's eyes are developing.
So, let us look at five easy ways to help protect and maintain your kid's vision.
1. Limit Time Spent In Front Of Screens
There is often no avoiding screens. From school work to our favorite forms of entertainment, kids spend a significant amount of time every day in front of screens, either by habit or necessity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to no more than 1-2 hours per day for children aged 2-5.
While the average child 8-12 in the United States spends 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and with the increase of their use in school settings, these numbers will only grow. It is recommended and vital to start teaching healthy screen use habits early. Screen use can increase the development of myopia and eye focusing or teaming issues.
Implement the following easy habits to reduce overall screen time or reduce the effects of required screen time:
- Make designated screen-free times around meals and bedtime.
- Encourage non-screen sports, hobbies, or other activities.
- Help set the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Ensure they do not sit in the dark, but try to reduce the amount of overhead and side-to-side light to prevent glare.
2. Encourage Healthy Eating
A nutritious diet plays a crucial role in supporting eye health. The best foods for eyesight are high in particular nutrients or vitamins. A diet full of healthy foods for our eyes won't give anyone superhuman vision or cure eye conditions, but it can help our eyes' overall health. It also means your body stays healthier.
Incorporate the following foods into your child's diet:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Include a variety of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, C, and E, such as carrots, spinach, broccoli, and oranges. These nutrients support overall eye health.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Include sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, flaxseeds, and walnuts. These help in maintaining retinal function and may reduce the risk of dry eyes.
3. Work To Instill Good General Hygiene
Even though we shouldn’t, most of us instinctively rub our eyes, and young kids are no exception to this. Ensure their hands are washed and cleaned regularly to help prevent introducing bacteria or dirt into the eye.
Keeping hands clean is especially important if you have a child who wears contact lenses. Our eyes are one way many viruses enter the body, so help your immune system and keep your eyes free of irritants.
4. Protect Their Eyes During Sports
Most eye injuries across all ages come from accidents that occur during sports, hobbies, or other physical activities. Eye trauma can generally be categorized into blunt, penetration, and radiation. Eyes are sensitive, and even what might appear to be a slight issue at first can hide more substantial damage or put you at greater risk of problems as you age.
Protective eyewear comes in many styles and types, depending on your needs. You might see typical safety glasses and goggles for hobbies on TV, as well as stylish sports glasses.
Having a pair of well-fitted and customized sports or sunglasses for your child does nothing if they don’t regularly wear them. While you can’t make them love the idea of wearing any kind of glasses, you can help make them more comfortable and willing to wear them.
- Incorporate it into a routine: Start working glasses and their care into pre-sport routines. Keep them in a protective case while in bags, and work to have the sports glasses as part of the overall uniform.
- Keep it fun: Bolster your kid's confidence with a compliment or two, give examples of famous people or favorite characters who wear glasses, and gamify wearing them as an incentive to help form good habits.
- Be patient: Getting used to glasses takes time; be patient as they adapt to the change. The attitude you show is the one they will adopt.
Watch For Issues And See The Doctor
Many signs of vision problems and eye health conditions appear early in a child’s development. Upwards of one in 20 preschoolers are born with an eye problem that can ultimately cause permanent issues if not properly treated early.
Your child’s eyes should be examined when they are newborns. When they begin preschool or reach age three, you should start researching optometrists and schedule an exam. It is recommended that follow-up exams be done on a yearly basis.
Pay attention to any signs that may indicate potential eye problems in your child, such as:
- Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
- Holding objects or books too close to their face
- Squinting or tilting their head while looking at objects
- Excessive tearing or redness in the eyes
- Complaints of headaches or eye strain
If you notice these signs, consult an eye care professional promptly.
Asheville Vision And Wellness
Life is busy, and parenting is always challenging. You are always thinking about the necessities, like making sure your kids are eating healthy, sleeping well, and whatever else they need. If you are behind on scheduling an eye exam, you are not alone, and it is understandable. There is no time like the present.
The sooner you get your child’s eye exam schedule, the sooner we can ensure their eyes are as healthy as possible.
Asheville Vision and Wellness has been Western North Carolina’s trusted optometrist for thirty years. We have had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of parents and great pediatric patients. Contact us for more information and to schedule your child’s eye exam today.