Eyewa – “Enhance the way people see and experience life and its possibilities.” Do you think that’s a mighty tagline for an eyewear brand? Think again. Let us explain.
Perfect eyesight is something that we usually take for granted until we start having trouble with our vision. All of a sudden, you have trouble reading those small letters. You can’t make out the person waving at you from a distance. That’s when you truly realize the role your eyes play in the quality of your life.
Eyewa offers you that quality of life with its wide variety of prescription glasses, reading glasses, contact lenses, and so on. So, yes. The tagline is just right for Eyewa.
In this blog, we’ll find out how to care for your children’s eyes.
6 Tips for Eye Health and Maintaining Good Eyesight
As a parent, it is your responsibility to protect your child. To ensure your children have a lifetime of good vision.
Encourage a balanced diet
Give your children a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamin A and C. Carrots, oranges, and spinach are excellent choices that support good eye health.
Limit screen time
Spending too much time looking at screens can tire your children’s eyes and make their vision blurry. It’s important to take breaks from using phones, tablets, and TVs. Encourage them to do outdoor activities or pursue other hobbies to give their eyes a rest.
Teach good hygiene
Teach your children the significance of washing their hands regularly to prevent eye infections. Emphasize the importance of refraining from touching their eyes, as it can introduce bacteria and cause irritation to the sensitive tissues. Good hygiene will keep eye diseases away. Play safely to prevent eye injuries.
Encourage outdoor play
Playing outdoors allows children to be exposed to natural light. This promotes a balanced sleep-wake cycle, thus contributing to the proper development of their eyes. However, ensure sun protection. Sunglasses can ensure protection from UV rays.
Regular eye check-ups
The importance of regular eye check-ups cannot be stressed enough. This will help identify and address any potential vision problems at an early stage.
Promote good habits
Motivate your children to develop healthy eye practices, such as reading in adequate lighting, maintaining an appropriate distance from screens, and taking regular breaks to give their eyes a rest.
Eyeglasses on display (EYE00509-2)
Dry eyes
It’s not just adults who experience dry eyes. Children can also go through this condition. Dry eyes happen when there isn’t enough tear production or when the quality of tears is low. This can lead to discomfort and irritation. Common causes include excessive screen time, allergies, specific medications, and even environmental factors like dry air.
Signs and symptoms
Identifying dry eyes in your child can be challenging as they may have difficulty expressing their discomfort. Look for signs such as redness, itching, burning or stinging, frequent eye rubbing, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and excessive tearing.
Tips to manage dry eyes in children
- Encourage your child to blink frequently. This can promote better tear distribution and lubrication.
- Limit screen time as excessive screen time can worsen dryness. Encourage them to engage in outdoor activities and other hobbies that allow their eyes to rest.
- Discourage your child from rubbing their eyes excessively. Teach them to use a clean, damp cloth to gently clean their eyelids to remove any debris.
- You can consider using over-the-counter preservative-free artificial tears or eye drops specifically designed for children. However, consult with your pediatrician or eye doctor first.
- During dry or winter seasons, it can be helpful to create a humid environment by using a humidifier or placing a water container near the heating source to add moisture to the air.
It is important to seek professional help when needed.
Eye Care
Children are constantly exploring and learning about the world around them. Their eyes play a crucial role in that process. The importance of caring for your children’s eye cannot be stressed enough.
Firstly, it is crucial to prioritize regular eye exams for your children, even if they don’t show any signs of vision problems. Some issues, such as lazy eye or nearsightedness, can easily go unnoticed without professional examination. Identifying these problems early on can prevent further complications.
You should also be mindful of your children’s daily eye care routine. Encourage them to take regular breaks when using screens or reading to reduce eye strain. Remind them to blink frequently to keep their eyes moist and, importantly, limit their screen time to avoid potential vision problems in the future.
Lastly, it’s essential to educate your children about good eye care habits. Teach them the importance of taking care of their eyes and emphasize practices like wearing sunglasses in bright sunlight, handling their eyes gently, and avoiding rubbing them excessively.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your children’s eyes stay healthy.
Eyeglasses on display (EYE00137)
20-20-20 Rule: Does It Help Prevent Digital Eye Strain?
The 20-20-20 rule is a simple and easy-to-follow guideline to protect your eyes from digital eye strain.
For every 20 minutes you spend staring at a screen, it is recommended to take a 20-second break and direct your gaze to something 20 feet away.
Our eyes are not meant to endure long periods of screen time, so taking regular breaks and shifting our focus aids in relieving the strain on our eye muscles. Moreover, focusing on objects in the distance can help relax our eyes, leading to better overall eye health.
Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age
In the first few weeks after birth, your baby’s vision is still developing. They can see objects and people within 8 to 12 inches of their faces. As they grow, their vision will get better, and by 3 to 4 months, they can track moving objects with their eyes.
When your baby is around 6 months old, they will reach an exciting milestone called depth perception. This means they can judge distances and reach out accurately for objects. This is the age when your baby starts to hone their hand eye coordination.
Between 9 and 12 months, your little one will start developing color vision. They can appreciate the vibrant colors of their toys and surroundings. Use this time to introduce them to different colors through play and visual activities.
By 12 to 24 months, your baby’s vision will be similar to an adult’s. They can distinguish between more complex shapes and fully enjoy the world around them.
Keep in mind that every baby develops at their own pace, so if your little one doesn’t reach these milestones right on time, don’t worry. Just provide them with a stimulating environment and find ways to engage their senses in everyday moments.
Screen Use for Kids
There’s no denying the fact that screens have become an integral part of our lives. And it’s no different for our children. The key is limiting screen time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should not exceed one hour of screen time daily. For older children, it is important to establish limits and strike a balance between using screens and engaging in other activities such as playing outdoors, reading, and socializing. Creating screen-free zones during mealtimes and in bedrooms can also contribute to their overall well-being.
While educational apps, interactive games, and high-quality TV shows can provide valuable learning opportunities, it is crucial to ensure that the content is suitable for their age group and encourages active participation rather than passive consumption.
As parents, you have the responsibility of managing their screen time. Take care to monitor their exposure, supervise their viewing choices, and implement parental controls when necessary. Most importantly, set a good example by limiting your own screen time and participating in meaningful activities together that do not involve screens.
Kids sunglasses on display (Kids)
How to Protect Eyes from Mobile and Computer Screens
You can help protect your children’s eyes from the potentially harmful effects of excessive screen time with these tips.
1. Promote breaks and outdoor activities
Encourage regular breaks from electronic devices by setting time limits. Encourage children to engage in outdoor activities such as sports or playtime to balance screen time.
2. Set limits on screen time before bedtime
To ensure better sleep and reduce eye strain, establish a “digital curfew” by removing devices, like mobile phones, from children’s bedrooms at least an hour before bedtime.
3. Maintain proper posture and distance
Teach children to maintain a good posture while using screens. Advise them to keep the screen at least an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level to avoid strain.
4. Optimize screen settings
Adjust screen brightness and contrast to minimize eye strain. Enable night mode or blue light filters to decrease the harmful effects of blue light emitted by screens.
5. Schedule regular eye check-ups
Arrange for periodic eye check-ups for your child, regardless of any apparent symptoms. Early detection of eye problems can help prevent further damage.
Kids sunglasses on display (Kid)
Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision
To a great extent, your child’s overall health is in your hands. This goes for their eye health also. If you want your child to enjoy a lifetime of good vision, you have to take the necessary steps from Day 1. As they grow up, you may even have to be strict with them, especially when it comes to screen time.
- Be mindful of their diet. Include food that promotes eye health. Ensure a healthy diet.
- Take them for regular eye check-ups. Get their eyes checked by an
- Limit their screen time.
- Teach them good eye hygiene.
- Encourage them to play outdoors.
By keeping an eye on your child’s vision, you are gifting them a good life, a quality life.
Omega-3 and your eyes
Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in the development and upkeep of ‘vision.’ Studies show that Omega-3 can prevent dry eyes and enhance tear production, reducing the chances of eye irritation in children. Furthermore, DHA supports the retina’s overall health, which is responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain.
Now, how do you ensure your child consumes enough Omega-3. Incorporate fish into their meals a few times a week. If your child is a picky eater and doesn’t enjoy fish, Omega-3 supplements designed specifically for kids are available. However, it’s advisable to consult a pediatrician before introducing any new supplements.
Remember, a well-balanced diet that includes Omega-3-rich foods can greatly benefit your child’s eye health.
How Too Much Screen Time Affects Kids’ Eyes
Excessive screen time can cause eyestrain, fatigue, and dry eyes, especially in children whose eyes are still developing. Continuous exposure to screens, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, can potentially strain their delicate eyes.
Conclusion
For a child, their whole life is in front of them. There are mountains to conquer, adventures to be had, planets to step on, discoveries to be made, and so on and on. They would need their health to do all these, especially their eye health. Parents, care for your children’s eyes. Keep your child’s eyes healthy. Ensure good vision and eye health with these tips.
