3 Ways to Keep Your Child's Eyes Healthy

By Brandi Swieter 

With August deemed Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, it’s important for parents to take this time to recognize just how little they actually know about eye health. Young children are especially susceptible to struggles with their eyes as they are more likely to rub their eyes with dirty hands, be caught sitting far too close to a screen, and are unable to handle safety measures themselves without parental supervision. With these three ways to keep a child’s eyes healthy, parents all over can do a better job of preventing eye problems for their kids.

Ensure They Receive Regular Eye Exams

Pediatricians typically offer eye exams in their office at a regular well-child visit. Parents should take this opportunity to ensure their children’s eyes are checked thoroughly to discover sooner rather than later if any problems are found. A regular eye exam is just the first step in keeping eyes healthy and strong because they allow problems to be caught and dealt with early on.

Prevent Excessive Eye Rubbing

This may be easier said than done, but if a parent notices their child rubbing their eyes too hard or too frequently, they should voice their concerns. Tell the child to stop and help prevent them from rubbing their eyes in this manner. The act can cause damage, especially if they are rubbing because debris is stuck in their eye. If the child persists, it’s necessary to take them to their pediatrician or directly to an eye doctor to be assessed.

Make Them Use Protective Eyewear

There are some activities that require the use of protective eyewear. Even certain toys can be a danger to the eyes, so using some protection over the eyes and face can come in handy. Safety glasses should always be worn if there’s a potential that debris, sprays, or something else harmful could get into a child’s eyes. Find cool colors and styles to make them more fun for kids to wear -- and keep on -- throughout the entire activity.

Use August as the starting point for practicing eye health, and then continue the trend thereafter. Our children’s eyes are an important part of their health, so keeping them safe, clean, and clear is necessary. Follow these methods or explore your own to keep your child’s eye health intact.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Gilbert, Ariz.

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