Did you know that August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety month? In case you didn’t know, here are some helpful tips that are sure to help keep your little one’s peepers safe and sound:
- Get your goggles going. Experts agree that approximately 90 percent of injuries to the eyes can be easily prevented by the use of protection such as safety glasses or sports goggles.
- Say hello to the eye doctor! Eye exams given early can identify issues that can be corrected before they become more serious.
- Children are all over the place. Children can be very active and prone to the occasional fall, so impact resistant plastic frames and lenses for corrective, safety, and sunglasses are a must.
- Complaining of headaches or eye aches after watching a 3D movie or looking at a computer monitor is a good indicator that the eyes are having issues working together. This could be a sign that corrective lenses or vision therapy is needed.
- Be sure to watch them like a hawk. One cannot underestimate the importance of knowing what your kids are playing with. B.B. guns, slingshots, plastic darts are just a few of the traditional methods of putting one’s eye out, however even modern toys like lasers can be hazardous as well. A group called “World Against Toys Causing Harm” has a list that they publish annually called “10 Worst Toys”
- It’s never too late to learn. Knowing basic eye first aid should be a must for all who watch after the little ones. Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency can be crucial in preventing further injury, and allows the best chance for recovery after an event. You can ask your Optometrist for some literature or look it up online, there are hundreds of websites giving good advice about optical first aid. They also often list the steps needed to take for specific problems.
Remember, whether or not your child needs glasses, everyone needs a good pair of eyes. Taking care of them from the start is the best way to maintain them for the long haul!
