Simple Eye Care Tips for Kids

Eyes are delicate and children’s eyes are more so. With changing lifestyles and habits children today are at higher risk of developing eye problems, but you need not worry. There are a few simple ways to protect your children’s eyesight.

Tips to protect your kid’s eyes.

Ensure periodical resting of eyes.

Make sure that your child takes breaks and rests every 30-40 minutes between activities such as reading, writing or playing on computer, mobile etc.

Avoid sharp toys.

Hard and sharp toys can wound your child’s eye. Be careful when buying toys. Soft and child friendly toys are best for small children. Supervise your child’s play time if child is very young.

Ensure outdoor activities.

Outdoor activities help develop better eye coordination. Ensure that your child gets adequate outdoor play time. This helps delay development of myopia or short sight.

Reduce digital exposure.

Limit screen time for all kids. Too much screen time will harm the eye’s focussing ability. Children below 2 years should not be exposed more than 2 hours of screen time.

Ensure safe distance from screen.

While watching television make sure that your child does not sit too close to the screen. If using a mobile or tablet, ensure that the device is held at least 50 cms away and not too close to the face.

Give your child a healthy diet.

Fruits, vegetables, fish and eggs are good for the eyes. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will keep your kid’s eyes and sight in good condition.

Provide protective eyewear for sports.

Certain sports and games can lead to accidents that injure the eye. If your child engages in such activities, ensure he/ she wears goggles to protect the eye from harm.

Take your child for a regular eye check-up.

Eye check-up and vision screening should start when your baby is a new born and should continue through the school years. When eye problems are detected early, corrective measures can be taken immediately to ensure proper sight.

Ensure good eyecare habits.

Adequate lighting while reading, writing, playing etc. will protect eyes from strain. At least 8 hours sleep everyday will provide adequate rest for eyes. Touching or rubbing of eyes should be avoided to protect eyes from injury. Balanced diet and adequate water intake will help keep eyes in good condition.

Follow these simple steps to maintain eye health in your kids. If you think your child is sitting too close to the television or holding a book too close to read, if your child suffers from frequent headaches or has redness, watering or stickiness of eyes, consult our ophthalmologist immediately. These are signs of eye problems and the earlier you treat them, the better the quality of life will be for your child.

Eye care is one of our core specialities and we offer the services of an experienced ophthalmologist. State-of-the-art facilities and advanced services are offered for best results.