Active Fit: Eye Health and Safety
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which was established to help educate parents and children about maintaining and protecting eye health. During this month, parents can use this opportunity before children return to school to ensure that their child visits an optometrist, learns about eye conditions and warning signs, and practices eye safety.
Scheduling an annual eye exam for your child with an eye care professional is the most efficient method to discover or treat any eye conditions or visual disorders. Vision changes as a child grows, and may go unnoticed due to slow progression. Children also may be born with an eye or vision condition that may appear normal to the child, causing them to remain silent about the issue. Before the condition worsens, parents can learn about warning signs that indicate vision may be negatively impacting their child’s daily life. Below are common, treatable conditions in growing children and the associated symptoms:
Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is reduced vision in one eye from lack of use that is caused by poor focusing of the eye or misaligned eyes. Children with amblyopia may tilt their head, squint, or shut or cover one eye to help them see. Treatment options include applying an eye patch, using medicated eye drops, surgery, or glasses.
Astigmatism is an irregularly shaped cornea - the protective outer layer of the eye, which can cause blurred vision. Children with an astigmatism may sit closer to a television or hold a book closer to the eyes, squint often, or report headaches from eye strain. Eyeglasses or contacts can correct the child’s blurry vision, or surgery may be an option to permanently correct the impairment without the need of glasses or contacts.
Conjunctivitis - commonly referred to as pink eye, occurs when the conjunctiva - the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of the eye, is inflamed or infected. Due to bacteria, allergies, or irritation, the eye appears red when blood vessels in this membrane become inflamed. Pink eye produces discharge and tears and causes itchiness. Depending on the cause, conjunctivitis is easily treatable with eye drops or ointment.
Hyperopia, also referred to as farsightedness, is diagnosed in children who have difficulty seeing close objects. Children with hyperopia have difficulty with up-close tasks, such as reading or drawing, so they may perform these activities at a farther distance than normal. This condition occurs when the child’s eye is too short and does not correctly bend light. Glasses or contacts can correct their vision once diagnosed.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes difficulty seeing objects faraway. Children may not notice this condition at first which may worsen as they are older. Holding objects closer to their eyes or watching television at a close distance may be a sign that your child should be prescribed glasses or contacts to improve their vision.
Eye safety is also important to maintain a child’s eye health. Eye injuries can commonly occur as children grow and play with friends or participate in sports. Always keep chemical sprays or sharp objects out of reach. Child athletes are recommended to wear protective eyewear to avoid dirt or debris from entering their eye and being hit by a person or ball. If a child gets chemical spray, dirt, or debris in their eye, it is important that they understand not to rub their eye and instead go to the closest clean water source – whether it be a bathroom, kitchen, or a bottle of water – and wash the affected eye. If the child receives a scratch or cut on the eye, even if minor, schedule an appointment with their eye doctor to receive guidance.
Child eye health and safety is important to maintain for their general well-being and performance in school, sports, and social life. Some conditions, as shown above, are easily fixed with prescription eyeglasses or contacts, which also should be maintained (see the Active●Fit sidebar for more information about contact care). During the month of August for Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, parents should educate themselves about possible conditions that may arise during childhood and, most importantly, schedule annual appointments with the child’s eye doctor, who can provide further education and guidance regarding any questions.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Active Fit: Eye Health and Safety
