A child’s eyes go through several changes during their formative years. That is why it’s essential to be proactive about their eye care, making sure their eyes and vision are healthy and developing well.
In this post, here are tips on how to take a proactive approach to your child’s eye health.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is crucial to having healthy eyes. Make sure your child eats meals with leafy greens containing Vitamin A or foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamins C and E – such as those found in fruits like mangoes, oranges and strawberries – are also good for the eyes since they help restore tissue and prevent eye infections.
Reduced Screen Time
Since digital learning has become more common, your child will inevitably use computers and tablets for their education at some point. Prolonged exposure to the blue light emitted by digital screens is, of course, bad for the eyes. It can cause digital eye strain – a condition characterized by symptoms like dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision, etc.
Limiting their screen time is an obvious solution. But if this isn’t possible due to school work, teach your child the 20-20-20 rule – that is, to look up from the screen every 20 minutes and look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you notice them squinting or rubbing their eyes often or they’re complaining of other eye discomforts, visit your eye doctor for proper assessment.
Proper Eyewear
If your child is wearing prescription glasses, make sure it has a nice fit, and the frame and lens materials are appropriate for their needs and daily activities. If you’re heading to the beach, have them wear sunglasses. If they will be swimming, a pair of goggles would protect their eyes from water.
Regular Eye Exams
Whether your child is at risk of certain eye conditions or not, it is a must to bring them to an optometrist for regular eye exams. This way, an eye specialist can properly monitor your child’s eye development.
If you’re looking for quality eye care services, you can always count on Vienna Eyecare Center. Call us at (703) 938-7633 or fill out this contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Fairfax, VA, and the surrounding areas.
