Your eyes are amazing! They take in tons of information about the world around you. This keeps you safe, helps you learn and makes life more beautiful. It’s important to take good care of your eyes so they stay healthy and you can see clearly. Here are some key ways kids can keep their eyes in focus.
Get Your Eyes Checked
It’s recommended kids visit the eye doctor for a full exam each year. They’ll test your vision and eye alignment to make sure you can see well for school and activities. If you need glasses or contacts, wear them as prescribed so your eyes don’t strain to focus. Regular exams prevent and detect eye problems early.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Keeping your eyes clean helps prevent infections. Wash hands before touching eyes or contact lenses. Replace eye makeup every few months. Clean reusable contacts properly. Use eye drops sparingly – ask an adult first. Practicing good hygiene keeps your peepers feeling fresh.
Protect Your Eyes Outdoors
Shield your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Wear sunglasses outside – they don’t have to be expensive. Pick lenses that block 99-100% of UV rays. Adding a wide-brimmed hat also helps give your eyes shade from the sun.
Take Screen Breaks
Staring at screens can cause eye strain and discomfort over time. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This lets eyes refocus naturally. Blink often to keep eyes lubricated when using devices.
Eat Nutritious Foods
A healthy diet provides key vitamins and nutrients for good vision. Eat leafy greens, carrots, citrus fruits and fish. Foods high in zinc like meat, dairy and nuts also support eye health. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water too. Proper nutrition helps eyes, and the whole body.
Don’t Rub Your Eyes
Rubbing your eyes may seem like a good way to make them feel better, but it can actually worsen irritation. Rubbing can spread germs from your hands into delicate eye tissue or cause tiny scratches on the cornea. Instead, flush eye irritants out with clean water.
Use Proper Lighting
Make sure lighting in your home, classroom and reading areas is bright enough, but not harsh. Using lamps can provide a clearer light source for reading or homework. Position them to limit glare on screens or paper. Proper lighting prevents straining to see.
Rest Your Eyes
Your eyes need downtime just like you do. Avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime – they can disrupt sleep. Get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep nightly so eyes recover. Letting your eyes fully rest and recharge will have you seeing clearly.
Wear Protective Eyewear
When playing sports or doing activities like woodworking or welding, wear protective glasses or goggles to shield eyes from flying particles. Make eye protection part of costumes too. Preventing eye injuries keeps your vision safe.
Know Your Family History
Some eye diseases are genetic, so know if vision problems run in your family. Tell your eye doctor of any family history or changes in vision you notice between exams. This helps identify steps to protect your sight early on.
Don’t Play With Fireworks, Guns or BB Guns
Fireworks, guns and pellet guns can cause severe and permanent eye injuries. Do not play with these without adult supervision. Also let an adult light fireworks, standing at a safe distance. Protecting your eyes is way more fun than getting hurt!
Catch Issues Early
Pay attention if you develop any eye discomfort, pain, trouble seeing or changes in vision. Tell an adult right away if you experience any sudden eye injuries or trauma. See an eye doctor promptly if you have any concerns between exams. Early detection is key for treatment.
Your eyes are precious! Follow these guidelines and work with your eye doctor to keep your vision sharp and eyes healthy. How will you use your eyes today? Look around and appreciate the gift of sight.
