Back-to-school tips for children’s eye health and safety

With the busyness of back-to-school preparations, parents can sometimes forget one of the most important learning tools – their child’s good vision and overall eye health.

Because children are still growing, being vigilant about eye health is important. The earlier problems are identified; the sooner they can be addressed. For healthy eyes and vision throughout the school year, Abilene Ophthalmology Associates and The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend the following tips to keep your kids’ eyes healthy and safe:

Schedule regular eye exams– Children’s eyes change rapidly, making regular screenings important for detecting and correcting eye problems early. In addition to screenings for infants, further vision screening for children is recommended when they are:

• Pre-school age

• Entering school

• Experiencing a possible vision problem

Know family eye health history – Parents should share family eye health history with the person performing the screening, when possible. Some of the most common eye problems include nearsightedness, crossed eye and lazy eye. If these are not treated in childhood, they can cause permanent vision loss.

Watch for eye problems – Parents should know the symptoms that could indicate an eye or vision problem. Eyestrain, headaches, white or grayish-white coloring in the pupil, one eye that turns in or out, or eyes that do not track in sync together, can alert parents to a possible problem.

Encourage protective eyewear when playing sports – Eye injuries while playing sports can cause serious damage, whether by getting smacked with an elbow during basketball or hit with a baseball. Consider equipping your child with goggles or other certified protective eyewear.

To schedule an eye exam for your child, please call 325-670-3460.