How to take care of your kid’s eyesight

The British Journal of Ophthalmology’s recent review shows myopia in children is on the rise. Consequently, parents should help their children maintain their eyesight.

The current number of kids with myopia or nearsightedness comprises 35% of the world’s child population. By 2050, the researchers predict the number may hit 40%, exceeding 740 million children with this eye condition.

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The public should see the issue with a 20/20 vision to ensure their clear future. Consequently, this article will discuss how parents can take care of their children’s eyesight. 

How to protect your children’s eyesight

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Hopkins Medicine share the following tips to prevent your kids from developing eye conditions: 

1. Boost visual engagement: Stimulate your newborn and toddler’s vision with high-contrast colors and patterns. Put these vibrant colors in their decor and toys so that they get accustomed to a wider field of vision.
2. Provide a balanced diet: Children should eat nutrients like zinc, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E. These are present in fruits, fish, eggs, and nuts. 
3. Get enough sleep: Kids should have eight hours of sleep every night to give their eyes ample time to rest.
4. Don’t rub your eyes: Tell kids to avoid touching their eyes, especially with dirty hands. Instead, they should rub their eyes with clean tissues or rinse them with water. If the irritation persists, your child may need eye drops.
5. Spend time outdoors: Playing outside lets their eyesight recover from strain and fatigue.
6. Use appropriate eyewear: Give your kids shatterproof plastic eyeglasses to prevent eye injuries. 
7. Limit the use of digital screens: Children should look up from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This popular eye care tip is called the 20-20-20 rule.

Is my child having eyesight problems?

Your child might be having vision problems if he or she is struggling with the following: 

• Disinterest in distant objects
• Squinting 
• Head tilting
• Holding objects closely to the eyes
• Eye rubbing
• Sensitivity to light
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Disinterest in reading or looking at distant objects

If you observe these behaviors in your child, your kid might need an eye exam. Visit your local ophthalmologist to properly address your kid’s eyesight.

What is myopia?

The Mayo Clinic defines nearsightedness or myopia as a “vision condition in which close objects look clear but far objects look blurry.” 

It occurs when the eye becomes oval-shaped instead of round or when its cornea becomes too steep. As a result, light focuses inaccurately at the back of the eye, making eyesight blurry.

Various factors may increase the likelihood of developing myopia. These include genetics, screen time, environmental conditions, and prolonged close-up activities. 

Nearsightedness may impair your child’s school performance and quality of life. Hence, eye care at an early age is essential to your kid’s future.