August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month—a great time to get your child’s eyes examined before school starts.
It is back-to-school time and you’re probably preparing with your child’s enrollment forms, orientation schedules, and immunizations–but during this busy season don’t forget about their eyes.
Most children have healthy eyes. But there are conditions that can threaten good vision. Because you can’t always “look” into your child’s eyes to tell if they have eye health problems, it might be a good idea to set aside some time today for an eye exam.
Possible Signs of Vision Problems:
Parents should be aware of signs that may indicate their child has vision problems, including:
- Wandering or crossed eyes
- A family history of childhood vision problems
- Disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects
- Squinting or turning the head in an unusual manner while watching television
Don’t Forget Preventative Eye Safety
Take the month of August to discuss the importance of eye safety with your children. More than 12 million children suffer from vision impairment, and eye injuries are one of the leading causes of vision loss in children.*
There are an estimated 42,000 sports-related eye injuries each year and the majority of them happen to children. Children should:
- Wear protective eye-wear while participating in sports or recreational activities.
- Play with are age-appropriate toys. Avoid toys with sharp or protruding parts.
- One of the best ways to ensure your child keeps his/her good vision throughout life is to set a good health example.
*Nearly 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems. Of children ages 3 to 5, close to one in 20 has a problem that could result in permanent vision loss if left untreated. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 80 percent of preschoolers do not receive vision screenings.
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