Eye Health for Children
Having your child's eyes and vision examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist early in their visual development is best. Parents should not wait until their children report visual problems. With some visual skills reaching full development at about 5 years of age, correction after this point becomes more difficult. Visual defects discovered before this age can be treated; therefore it is vital for parents to schedule regular eye examinations as recommended by their Pediatrician, their Eye care Professional and the American Optometric Association.
Parents should pay attention to these indications that a child might be experiencing visual problems:
- Reading from books held unusually close to the face
- Eyes pointing in different directions
- Twisting or tilting of the head to favor one eye
- Complaints of headaches and dizziness
- Blurred or double vision
- Frequent blinking or rubbing of eyes
- Inability to judge distance properly (bumping into things)
- Poor school and athletic performance
Common Vision Problems
- Near & Far Sight
- Blocked tear ducts
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Amblyopia (decreased sight)
- Eye Inquiries
- Season Eye Allergies
- Pink eye
UV Protection for Children
Children may not be as interested as adults are in the fashion aspect of sunglasses. However, they need sun protection just as much as adults do and sometimes even more, since they are spending more time playing outdoors and in direct sunlight and are therefore more susceptible to harmful UV rays. The sun can do as much damage to your eyes as it can to your skin. This is especially true for children, whose risk is higher because the lens in their eye doesn't filter as much UV light and because they spend so much time outside.
With that in mind, here are a few important points to keep in mind before you send your child out to play.
- UV rays are greatest when the sun is at its highest in the sky between 10 am and 4pm.
- Exposure is greatest from May through August in the United States
- UV levels are greater in wide open spaces, especially when highly reflective surfaces are present, like snow and sand.
Polarized Protection and Children
The polarization of light occurs when light is reflected off of certain surfaces such as snow, cement and water. This means that vertical light waves are absorbed while horizontal light waves bounce off the surface, creating glare. Polarized lenses reduce glare, provide 100% protection from harmful UV rays, increase visual acuity and decrease eye strain.
Children can benefit greatly from polarized lenses because they are frequently exposed to considerable sources of reflected glare and harmful UV rays during outdoor activities. Getting into the routine of wearing protective sunglasses should begin at a young age and is encouraged as a life-long habit. Prescription sunglasses are available for Children with corrective lenses to help protect their eyes. Trivex and Transitions lenses are also excellent choices.
The optomap ultra-wide digital retinal imaging system captures more than 80% of your retina in one panoramic image. Traditional methods typically reveal only 10-15% of your retina at one time. The unique optomap ultra-view view enhances your eye doctor’s ability to detect even the earliest sign of disease that appears on your retina. The optomap ultra-wide digital retinal imaging system helps you and your eye doctor make informed decisions about your eye health and overall well-being.
Nothing on this web site is intended, nor should it be construed, as professional advice. Those reviewing the information should consult with a qualified professional.