Keeping eyes healthy is a major part of every child’s development. Understanding proper eye care essentials will help to ensure that vision is well-maintained long-term. Quality vision facilitates learning and reading comprehension in children, while eye problems can result in learning difficulties, especially when diagnosed and treated late. When eyes are properly cared for from birth, it increases the likelihood of good eyesight for life. Here are our top 10 child eye care tips. 

A healthy diet is vital for any child’s optimal growth and development. Children should be encouraged to eat less junk and processed foods, and a greater amount of nutritious foods, such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, fish, and meats. Also, green and yellow vegetables are great sources of vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health.

Drinking water is crucial for proper hydration and eye maintenance. Younger children ought to drink at least 5 cups daily, depending on age, climate, and activities. This recommendation increases to at least 8 cups daily for 9-18 year-olds.

Maintaining healthy eyes requires a good night’s sleep. It’s recommended that young children get at least 9 hours of sleep each night to ensure that their bodies are rejuvenated and their eyes are refreshed. Sticking to a regular nightly routine and sleep schedule will help children fall asleep without difficulty.

Digital devices and screens are now fairly common forms of entertainment. Kids love watching videos on smartphones and playing games on computers or consoles. However, prolonged exposure to these devices may result in eye strains because of constant focus on the screen. It may cause vision to degrade, leading to eye problems, even at a young age.  

Children tend to rub their eyes excessively. It happens mostly when there are foreign bodies in the eyes or when irritation occurs. A disease called conjunctivitis (pink eye) may develop when germs from hands pass to the eyes. Teach children how to properly wash their hands and clean their eyes in order to reduce rubbing.

The eyes need rest too, and can easily get stressed. For children, it means taking a break from looking at blackboards in school, staring at books and notebooks, and using mobile devices and computers. Children are encouraged to incorporate in their daily schedule those activities that don’t need focus from the eyes, like strolling in the park or just lying down and listening to music.

Watching TV, especially for a long time, can strain the eyes and result in various problems. Make it a rule for children to watch TV at a safe distance from the screen. Also, ensure that the room’s lighting is adequate and not merely dependent on the TV’s glow. 

Eyes must be protected from bright sunlight. Get your child some sunglasses that offer a high degree of UV protection. Proper eye protection should also be worn when playing basketball, football, baseball, etc. Swimming goggles should also be used when playing in the water. Small children must not be allowed to play with small, hard, or sharp toys—those offered to them must always be age-appropriate.

When homes have small children, please keep them safe by securing all household cleaners and other chemicals far away from their reach. Accidental exposure to these chemicals can cause eye damage, not to mention other health problems.

See your child’s doctor(s) for these purposes: first, for vaccination against measles, since this disease may increase the risk of blindness; secondly, for eye tests. Kids need annual eye tests to address eye-related problems that may or may not have manifested symptoms. Early intervention can help protect long-term vision.