The summer has come to an end, and it’s officially time for kids to head back into the classrooms. Shopping for new clothes and buying school supplies may be at the top of your to-do list, but there are other things to do in order to help your child be successful this school year, including keeping your child’s eyes healthy. Check out these six back-to-school eye care tips.
Look out for signs of vision problems
Looking out for vision problems in older kids can be a lot easier since they can let you know if they are having trouble seeing the board or experiencing any vision complications. But when it comes to younger children, it can be hard for them to express or even be aware they are experiencing vision problems.
Here are some signs to look for in younger children in order to help determine if they are having problems seeing.
- Squinting to see objects
- Holding books too close to their eyes
- Excessive eye rubbing
- Frequent headaches
- Complaints of sore eyes
- Short attention span
Take screen breaks
School in the 21st century means that some assignments may be assigned on a smart device. And this is on top of the time they already spend on devices and watching TV.
An overabundance of screen time can lead to eye strain and cause more eye complications and even headaches.
Try implementing the 20-20-20 method and encourage your child to take a break from electronic devices every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
Get the correct eyewear
If your child requires corrective eyewear, be sure they are wearing the right prescription and best type of eyewear for them.
For example, if your child wears glasses, be sure to invest in scratch-resistant and polycarbonate glasses, which are shatterproof. Be sure to check that the frames fit well and are not too large. If your child complains that their glasses are slipping, consider adding ear grips or getting a glasses strap.
Protect eyes during activities
One of the most important back-to-school eye care tips is to encourage wearing protective eyewear during activities. Protective eyewear can help prevent eye injuries and sustain vision health.
Types of protective eyewear to look out for this school year include sports glasses and lab goggles.
Encourage hand washing
Kids hands can come into contact with a lot of germs, which can then lead to common eye infections. This includes conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye.
It is vital to stress the importance of frequently washing your hands with children and encourage them to avoid rubbing their eyes.
Book that eye exam
And finally, book that eye exam! A comprehensive eye exam is essential before sending your child back to school.
An eye exam can help detect vision problems that can otherwise go unnoticed and ultimately inhibit learning. Check out our blog, Vision Problems vs. ADHD in Children: Watch for a Misdiagnosis, to learn more.
Summary
Healthy vision is the key to success in the classroom, so be sure that you are implementing these back-to-school eye care tips with your children. And for more eye care tips and vision health updates, continue reading our blogs.
Need to book a back-to-school eye exam? Check out Mississippi Eye Care and search for the closest clinic to you!
