Making resolutions at the start of a new year is a habit for many of us, and as a parent, it’s common to have at least some resolutions that benefit your kids, too.
In fact, January is like a yearly “reset button” that helps us establish better habits focused on supporting improved health and wellness for our kids, and that includes habits that support clear vision and healthy eyes.
In this post, our team at ABC Children's Eye Specialists offers seven simple habits you can encourage to help your child enjoy better eyesight now and for the rest of their lives.
A yearly eye exam helps detect vision problems early, even if your child hasn’t shown obvious symptoms. While school vision screenings play an important role in identifying some issues, they’re no substitute for a comprehensive exam.
Our team specializes in detecting subtle changes that are easy to miss in the home or school environment. Starting each year with an updated exam gives your child the best chance for strong eyes and clear, comfortable vision.
Data shows kids spend an average of nearly eight hours each day glued to their screens — almost as much time as they spend sleeping.
Too much screen time strains kids’ eyes, leading to headaches, blurry vision, sore eyes, and a significantly increased risk of developing nearsightedness (myopia).
Offer screen-free alternatives to encourage time away from the digital world, establish screen-free zones around mealtimes and bedtimes, and most importantly, “live the change” by limiting your own time spent online.
The 20-20-20 rule is simple: For every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away. This simple activity “builds in” visual rest to reduce the risk of eye strain. Teaching this simple habit can make a big difference in preventing eye discomfort, dry eyes, and other issues for kids and their parents, too.
Natural light plays an important role in healthy vision and helps reduce the risk of nearsightedness in kids, too.
Even short periods outside each day give children’s eyes a break from close-up work. Regular outdoor play supports stronger overall eye development, as well as better physical health and emotional wellness.
Just like the rest of the body, eyes benefit from a proper mix of nutrients to stay healthy and ward off diseases and vision issues. Foods rich in vitamins A and C, zinc, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids help support healthy vision now and in adulthood, too.
Plus, a healthy diet supports physical health, reducing the risks of obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol, chronic conditions that also increase the risk of eye issues later on.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), more than 90% of eye injuries in kids could be prevented simply by making sure they use protective eyewear.
Wearing goggles or sports eyeglasses when participating in sports and other physical activities that pose impact risks for your child’s eyes is essential. Our team can help you select the right eyewear based on your child’s sport.
Subtle changes like squinting, sitting too close to screens, or frequent headaches can be signs of an emerging vision problem. Paying attention to these clues helps you act quickly.
When issues arise, scheduling an evaluation ensures your child gets the care they need as soon as possible, before more serious problems develop.
Setting good “eye health” habits for your child doesn’t have to be complicated. Even small changes now can lead to benefits that last for the rest of your child’s life.
To learn more ways to protect your child’s eyesight or to schedule an exam, call our offices to request an appointment with the team at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists in Phoenix, Avondale, Sun City, Gilbert, and Mesa, Arizona, today.
