How to Protect Your Child's Eyesight

This post is sponsored by Think About Your Eyes, a national public awareness campaign for vision health.

Did you know that 5%- 10% of preschoolers and 25% of school age children have vision problems? I was well into middle school the first time I had an eye exam. I was assigned a seat in the back of the class and the blackboard was a blur. I complained to my mom who took me to the optometrist. It turns out I was very farsighted. All these years later I can still remember putting on my first pair of prescription eyeglasses and seeing my world turn from blurry to sharp. I wonder if my vision problem had been detected earlier, would it be so severe? When it comes to Indigo, I'm not going to take any chances. Think About Your Eyes is a national public awareness campaign dedicated to educating the public on vision health and the importance of getting an annual comprehensive eye exam.

Sunglasses that block UVA/UVB rays

Ultraviolet light from the sun damages both skin and eyes, but did you know that children are even more susceptible to UV radiation than adults? Children's pupils are larger and the lens inside the eye is clearer, which enables more absorption of UV radiation into the eye. Wearing sunglasses that protect from UVA/UVB rays are very important when your child is outdoors.

Sometimes it can be a struggle to get your kids to wear sunglasses.  When shopping, I let Indigo try on a bunch of pairs and pick out his favorite ones. Sunglasses with an elastic strap in the back are a great choice, because they're less likely to slip off.

Limit screen time

The benefits of limiting screen time (especially for kids) have been proven time and time again. Spending too long in front of a screen causes eye strain (burning, itchy, tired eyes).  Long term eye strain can lead to fatigue, blurred or double vision, neck strain.

Eat Healthy

Did you know that a healthy diet also benefits your eyes? Antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin, E, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein are linked to healthy eyes. Carrots are well known for their beta-carotene content (precursor for vitamin A). Other eye healthy foods include fish, eggs, kale, almonds and oranges.

Schedule annual comprehensive eye exams

The final weeks of summer usually involve buying new clothes and supplies for the upcoming school year. It's also the perfect time to schedule an eye exam for your child. Eye exams are painless and easy and by scheduling them in the summer, it allows any vision issues to be addressed before your child begins school.

Thinkaboutyoureyes.com has a handy Find A Doctor Tool that allows you to set up a comprehensive eye exam for your child. It's one simple way you can set your little one up for a successful school year!

Have your kids had an eye exam yet?