Posted by: Eye Centers of Florida in Children
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Children’s Eye Health
If your child has an eye condition, it may affect their learning. They may struggle in school, or be thought of as less intelligent than they really are. Getting your child’s eyes checked is one way to ensure they’re getting the best opportunities to learn and grow.
Vision testing should start around age 3 or 4. Children are often checked for:
- Color blindness
- Wandering, lazy, or crossed eyes
- Disinterest in reading
- Difficulty paying attention to distant objects
- Squinting
The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 80% of preschoolers haven’t received vision screenings. If your child’s eyes haven’t been checked yet, now’s the perfect time!
Children’s Eye Safety
There are an estimated 42,000 sports-related eye injuries each year. The majority of them happen to children.
What can you do as a parent? One of the best ways to ensure your child’s vision lasts a lifetime is to set a good example. You can encourage children to:
- Wear protective eyewear while participating in sports or recreational activities.
- Play with age-appropriate toys. Avoid toys with sharp or protruding parts.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect their eyes from harmful UV light.
If you have questions about your child’s eye health or safety, just ask!
Photo courtesy of Flickr user pocketwiley.
