5 Ways to Protect and Improve Your Child's Eyesight

Your child's vision is their primary window into the world around them. Keeping their eyesight healthy is an important part of allowing them to experience life to the fullest.

Here are 5 tips on how to protect and improve your child's eye health:

1. Take them to the eye doctor for routine eye exams

One of the most important take-aways from any article you read on the subject of keeping your child's vision and eyes healthy, is the need to keep up with routine comprehensive eye exams. While your kid's school may perform vision screenings, these tests can only detect the most basic issues. Regular eye exams provide a more thorough evaluation and help ensure kids can see clearly both in and out of the classroom.

2. Limit their screen time

Kids can spend hours every day texting, playing video games, watching television, and more. Excessive screen time can cause digital eye strain, dry eye, and headaches. It may also increase the risk of macular degeneration later in life. Limit their screen time when possible, and turn devices off a few hours before bedtime.

3. Encourage them to eat healthy foods and get exercise

Eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E is a great way to promote eye health. Bonus points if you can get your child outside, as sunlight and outdoor play have been shown to slow or even prevent the development of myopia. Just make sure your child wears sunglasses and a sun hat.

4. Help them avoid eye injuries

If you have little ones at home, make sure that paints, cleaners and other dangerous chemicals are put away somewhere safe. For contact and ball/puck sports, ensure your child wears the right eyewear to protect their eyes from accidental impacts or pokes.

5. Reduce eye infections

Hands are some of the most bacteria-filled parts of our bodies. Your child should learn not to touch their eyes with their unwashed hands. If your child wears contact lenses, be sure to teach them to wash their hands each and every time they put in or take out their contact lenses.

For more information on how best to protect and improve your child's eyesight, contact Grove City Vision Center in Grove City today.