Healthy Eyes for Life: 10 Ideas to Teach Children

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Parents can teach their children the lifestyle habits and behaviors that are best for their eyes and vision.

Most children can appreciate the importance of clear vision and good eye health, and are open to learning how to best protect their eyes from infection and injury.

Beginning with positive habits at a young age will aid in the development of a lifestyle that will encourage healthy eyes and vision for the rest of their lives.

1. Eat right

Kids need a nourishing diet to sharpen their sense of sight. As parents, feeding your little ones a rich, eye-friendly diet is the best way to keep their peepers healthy.

A wholesome diet that benefits children must include the following:

  • Green leafy vegetableslike spinach, kale, or broccoli
  • Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon, halibut, and tuna
  • Non-meat protein sources like nuts and beans
  • Citrus fruit juices of oranges, grapefruit, and lemons
  • Fresh fruits like kiwis, blueberries, mangoes, and apricots

These vitamin and mineral-rich foods and fruits will provide your kids’ eyes with the nutrition they require to function at their fullest.

2. Stay Hydrated

Water is necessary for various body functions. Not having enough fluid in the body can impact the functioning of all organs, including the eyes. Kkids may not drinking enough water throughout the day.

Keeping your children hydrated is essential for their good health and their eyes. The eyes rely on adequate moisture to stay well-lubricated, remove bacteria, reduce strain, and keep infections away.

Kids can also use doctor-prescribed or safe over-the-counter eye drops to lubricate the eyes, ease the digital eye strain, and replenish any fluid loss.

3. Enjoy Exercise

A healthy lifestyle has been found to lower the risk of developing several eye diseases and general health problems, like Type 2 diabetes, which can eventually lead to vision loss and even blindness.

Encouraging your kids to experience the sun and air outside can benefit their overall health. It can also reduce the risk of developing myopia (short-sightedness).

Kids sports glasses . Maple Grove Eye Doctors

Seeing different colors and surfaces by spending time outdoors is also a stimulating exercise and can also reduce the risk of developing myopia (short-sightedness).

4. Wear Sunglasses

When your child is spending time outdoors, their eyes must be adequately shielded from the sun. Too much sun exposure can lead to early deterioration. Good quality, 100%UV-blocking sunglasses and a hat with a brim to protect the eyes from the sun is essential.

Why good quality and not sunglasses off the discount rack?

Mom+Boy wearing sunglasses Maple grove eye doctors

Good quality sunglasses have high-quality lenses. Cheap sunglasses do not have lenses that are optically clear and easy to see through – they may also be uncomfortable to wear, so a child will take them off after a short period of time or not wear them at all. Also, poor-quality sunglasses may have guaranteed UV protection. The sun’s radiation can cause eye diseases like cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium.  Sunglasses also shield the eyes from the elements, such as sand, wind, and dust, which can irritate eyes or even scratch a child’s cornea, leading to irreversible eye damage, which leads us to #5!

5. Protect Their Eyes

Eye protection is vital when participating in activities such as sports, especially those that are high-impact or involve flying objects. Also, when using chemicals or power tools, or working with sharp objects like glass or wood, ensure their eyes are protected.

Kids with swim goggles Maple Grove Eye Doctors at Pearle Vision

Safety behaviors such as carrying pointed objects like scissors, knives, and pencils with the sharp end pointing down can help safeguard their eyes. When using sprays, make sure they’re pointed away from the eyes.

To avoid eye damage, consult your eye doctor about the appropriate eye protection for your child.

6. Discourage Eye Rubbing

Kids tend to rub their eyes, especially when tired, have an irritation, or have a foreign matter in the eye. You must discourage them from rubbing their eyes, even if it feels like there is something stuck inside. Excessively rubbing the eyes can scratch the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. It can also transfer germs from the fingers into their eyes causing conditions like conjunctivitis (also called pink eyes).  Itchy, irritated eyes can also be a symptom of many conditions, including eye infections, allergies, and dry eye syndrome. See a specialist if their problem persists.

6. Discourage Eye Rubbing

Kids tend to rub their eyes, especially when tired, have an irritation, or have a foreign matter in the eye. You must discourage them from rubbing their eyes, even if it feels like there is something stuck inside. Excessively rubbing the eyes can scratch the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. It can also transfer germs from the fingers into their eyes causing conditions like conjunctivitis (also called pink eyes).  Itchy, irritated eyes can also be a symptom of many conditions, including eye infections, allergies, and dry eye syndrome. See a specialist if their problem persists.

7. Keep Hands Clean

Hand washing helps to prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Children who touch their eyes after playing outside are putting themselves at higher risk of an eye infection. Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, especially after coming home from school or playing outside, and to refrain from rubbing their eyes.

8. Take a Break from Digital Screens

These days, screen time is a major issue.

Children spend over 6 to 7 hours every day staring at digital screens, whether a computer at school or home, a smartphone, a TV, a tablet, or a gaming device.

Spending excessive time staring at a screen is a leading cause of eye strain! Other adverse effects can include:

  • Headache
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Trouble concentrating

Boy with Book Maple Grove Eye Doctors at Pearle Vision

To avoid these issues, you must limit their screen time or have them wear computer glasses. Use anti-glare screen guards, and teach them the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-minute break every 20 minutes and stare at anything 20 feet away for 20 at least seconds.7. Keep hands clean

Hand washing helps to prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Children who touch their eyes after playing outside are putting themselves at higher risk of an eye infection.

Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, especially after coming home from school or playing outside, and to refrain from rubbing their eyes.

9. Good Sleep

Sleep isn’t overrated. Enough sleep every night allows the eyes to replenish themselves, much like the brain and the body.  If your kids aren’t catching enough Zzzs, it can open the door to infections and affect their eyesight.  A good night’s sleep is like a tiny vacation, after which they can go around seeing the world around them with refreshed eyes. Healthy eyes translate into a healthy life where your kids can see clearly, learn more, and reach their highest potential.

10. Your Eye Doctor Is a Friend

Annual eye exams are vital to assess your children’s eyesight and eye health.

Take time to find the right eye doctor for your child. Check out our 6 full-time eye doctors right here.

Children’s vision can change quickly as they grow. In some cases, dramatic changes can occur in less than a year!

Undiagnosed vision problems can cause headaches and eye strain and interfere with schoolwork and a child’s learning ability. 80% of learning is through the eyes.

The bottom line is that your kids’ eyes have an important role in how they develop. Healthy peepers are crucial to ensure their safety and overall well-being. From feeding them a wholesome diet to using adequate eye protection and scheduling regular eye checkups, your efforts are an investment in their bright and vivid future.