Protecting your children’s eyesight is important to maintain their quality of life. Preventative measures can make a world difference for the health and wellbeing of our kids, which are often overlooked as an afterthought in today’s day-to-day living. One way you can help protect them from eye problems like myopia or retinal detachment is by ensuring they wear sunglasses when outdoors – but what about indoors or during sports? Here are some tips according to Optometrist Network:
Schedule exams as early as 6 months
Schedule an eye exam for your child early on. Eye doctors can identify any anomalies in sight and even signs of more serious conditions like glaucoma that could affect future visual development or other aspects of a growing body, such as the ability to learn colors and shapes.
Family History
Family history is more than just a list of birthdays and anniversaries. Knowing if your child will have any ocular conditions or vision disorders can help you make the best decisions for their future! If there’s anyone in your family who has been diagnosed with an eye ailment, then it’s safe to say they’ll most likely carry those traits as well – so be aware and learn the signs of possible issues.
Get outside!
Playing outside is a great way for your child to get healthy, but did you know that it can also help them see better?
The fresh air in the outdoors reduces eye strain and helps with myopia. So next time your little one says they’re bored at home, take them out for some sunshine!
Limit screen time
There’s a new epidemic in the world of screens. On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours. Kids these days are too caught up with their phones, computers, and TV to notice that they’re damaging their eyes. Research shows prolonged screen time can cause blurred vision, focusing problems, and even myopia which is the condition of having nearsightedness where objects seem abnormally close when viewed at distance! It’s important for children to have regular eye screenings before it gets worse-take your kids today!
Encourage eye protection
You probably require your child to wear a helmet when riding a bike, but what about their eyes? Many professional athletes wear eye protection, so it’s no surprise that children also need to! Protective eyewear is essential for those playing sports or other games and activities that could cause harm. Remember: with over 1.5 million visits to the emergency room in America each year due to injuries of this nature, you don’t want your child risking their eyesight without proper protection!
Eye injuries are the most common type of injury seen by emergency physicians each year, so it only makes sense that parents take precautions to protect their kids’ eyes from potential dangers while still allowing them plenty of fun outdoor time with friends. The physicians and staff at Bay Area Family Physicians appreciate the opportunity to provide your medical services and hope you have a GREAT summer. We want to strengthen communication between our office and you, our patients. As specialists in Family Medicine, we focus on primary care needs for patients of all ages – from newborns to the elderly. We diagnose and treat almost all medical conditions. Ideally, your entire family will see the same doctor, allowing both you and your doctor to establish a close, trusting relationship. Contact us today for more information!
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