Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

I am dedicating my August blog to a review of eye health and safety tips for children.

As kids get ready to return to school later this month, it’s a good time to get an eye exam. Changes in vision can impact a child’s ability to read and focus.

Symptoms that a child’s vision has changed include the following:

• Headaches
• Eye strain
• Rubbing eyes
• Sitting closer to the TV
• Squinting
• Difficulty or little interest reading

Another important and often overlooked safety measure is protecting children’s eyes when playing sports. Sports injuries are a leading cause of blindness for children. It is important to get eyewear specifically suited for the sport or activity – and that it fits properly on the face. The best protective wear is made of ultra-strong polycarbonate.

Protecting children’s eyes from the sun is very important. Babies, toddlers and children of all ages should wear sunglasses when outdoors.

With kids spending a lot of time looking at screens, it is good to teach them the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. (It’s a good practice for grown-ups too!)

There are a number of eye diseases that lead to vision loss and blindness in children. Society for the Blind is here to work with children living with vision loss and their parents. We provide low vision eyecare and occupational therapy for children in our Low Vision Clinic. Our CareersPLUS Youth Program assists school-age children with acquiring blindness skills and attaining academic success. This month, we are once again hosting our Parent-Toddler support group aimed at supporting parents of babies and toddlers with vision loss and introducing little ones to tactile toys and educational materials.

If you or someone you know has a child with vision issues, or if you want information about children’s eye exams, please reach out to us. Society for the Blind is committed to ensuring that children living with vision loss can discover, develop and achieve their full potential.