Your Children’s Vision
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month! As children return to school, you can help raise awareness about their vision and eye health. The key message is that healthy vision contributes to children’s school readiness, learning ability, overall healthy development, and ability to meet motor developmental milestones, and that vision screening and eye care are critical components of a Strong Vision Health System of Care. Find out more about protecting children’s vision and eye health!
Eat Properly to Protect Your Vision.
Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your eyes healthy. Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens. Salmon, tuna, and halibut have also been shown to benefit your eyes.
Get Your Body Moving
Did you know that kids who exercise have a lower body mass index than kids who do not? Being overweight or obese increases your risk of diabetes and other conditions that can cause vision problems.
Speak Up if Your Vision Changes
Is your vision hazy? Do you squint frequently? Have you ever had trouble seeing things at school? Inform a parent or teacher if your eyes hurt or if you notice any changes in your vision.
Wear Your Glasses or Corrective Lenses
Your glasses improve your vision, especially when they’re clean and smudge-free. Discuss with an adult how to clean and store your glasses when you are not wearing them.
Keep Germs at Bay
Always wash your hands before putting them near your eyes, especially when inserting or removing contact lenses.
Prepare Yourself
Are you participating in your favorite sport? Are you using chemicals in science class? Is it time to mow the lawn? Wear the appropriate eye protection to keep your eyes safe. Many eye injuries can be avoided by practicing better safety habits, such as wearing protective eyewear.
Wear Your Sunglasses
The sun’s rays can cause eye damage. Choose sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Remember to avoid looking directly at the sun.
Rest Your Eyes
Do you spend a lot of time staring at your computer, phone, or TV? Staring at one thing for an extended period of time can tire your eyes. Use the 20-20-20 rule to rest your eyes: Look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
Don’t Smoke
Did you know that smoking is bad for your eyes just as much as it is for the rest of your body? Smoking can put you at risk for serious eye problems that can lead to blindness.
Talk About It
Is there anyone in your family who has vision problems? Are you unsure? Ask! Discussing eye health with your family can help you all stay healthy. Protecting your children’s vision helps to teach them good eyecare for their lifetime.
For more helpful eye care and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.
Source: National Eye Institute
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