A growing child can have visual problems resulting in permanent damage to the eyes, which may not be detected in time because the child might not be aware that anything is wrong with his or her eyes. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to teach children early in life the importance of taking proper care of their eyes.
Here are some daily lifestyle tips you should teach your child.
Learning to eat a balanced, healthy diet.
This is the starting point of healthy eyesight. Children should learn to choose foods that contain nutrients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, Carotene, and Lutein which are needed for the proper development of the eyes. They should eat sufficient amounts of leafy greens and vegetables, healthy snacks like yellow fruits, as well as meats, fish, poultry, whole grains, and nuts. Kids can sometimes be picky eaters, but parents need to stick strictly to a healthy diet for them as well as educate them on the reasons the proper diet choice is best for them.
Regular exercise.
This is very important for eye health because it helps to maintain a healthy body weight and prevents obesity (overweight) and severe eye problems caused by obesity. Children should exercise, either by participating in sports, bike riding, or just playing outside rather than staying indoors all day watching TV.
Recent research has found out that children who spend a minimum of two hours daily outdoors have a lower chance of their short-sightedness increasing.
Using recommended glasses.
If a doctor prescribes medicated glasses for a child, it means that the child needs them. Therefore, the child needs to wear the glasses as often as required. Have an honest conversation with your child about the harmful effects of not wearing their glasses. They might not like the idea, feel or look involved in wearing glasses, but they have to understand the advantages and disadvantages involved. Educate them never to put on other people’s glasses (not even for fun) as this can affect their eyes.
Taking breaks from digital devices.
The child should understand the benefits of taking breaks while using digital devices. Let them know prolonged screen time is bad for their eyes and can cause blurry vision, headaches, and dry eyes. Teach and enforce breaks while watching TV or playing video games. Ensure they always practice the 20-20-20 rule (20 seconds, every 20 minutes, focusing on something that is 20 meters away).
Children need to protect their eyes, as these are the windows to the world they live in. Send us a message if you need more information on how to care for your child’s eyes.
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