4 Tips for Protecting Your Child's Eyes
By Brandi Goodman
August has been deemed Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. This is for good reason. Too many children are harming their vision by sitting on devices for hours and not using caution when playing with toys. Follow these four tips for protecting your child's eyes and keep them safe from the dangers all around.
Encourage Nutritious Eating
The foods we eat can help or harm our health. Certain foods will do nothing for eyesight, while others can actually work to improve it. Encourage nutritious eating and provide healthy meals and snacks for your children. Foods with lots of vitamins -- particularly Vitamin A -- are especially beneficial for vision. Broccoli, eggs, and yellow or orange vegetables and fruits are ideal sources.
Set Screen Time Limits
Screens damage the eyes. The blue light that gets emitted can dry out the eyes, cause irritation, and eventually lead to retina damage. Over time, this can cause macular degeneration. Put a stop to this now by setting screen time limits and make sure your kids are taking time away from their devices frequently.
Provide Age-Appropriate Toys
Making sure your child has toys appropriate for his or her age is the best way to keep them safe. You wouldn't want a toddler playing with something that has easily swallowed parts nor sharp edges that could poke their eye. It's also best to encourage the use of toys that promote hand-eye coordination. These can increase strength and improve vision. Puzzles, building blocks, finger paint, and craft sets are all good choices -- depending on age range.
Make Them Wear Sunglasses
You most likely provide sunscreen to your children when they'll be outdoors. This is great for protecting the skin, but it won't help the eyes. Kids tend to look directly at the sun even when they shouldn't. Having them wear sunglasses can work like sunscreen does in order to protect them from UV rays. Do your best to have your little ones keep them on anytime they're outside so their eyes can be protected.
A child's eyes can be greatly impacted by so many things around them. Watch out for dangers and teach your children to as well so their vision can remain intact for as long as possible. Our eyes already lose so much of their abilities as we age. We should be protecting our children's eyesight as much as possible to prevent premature problems and pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.