Last month we recognized Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which was dedicated to educating parents, caregivers, professionals, and policy makers on the importance of vision and eye health in a child’s development, learning ability, and social engagement. Because we believe that every month is eye health month, below are ten tips to keep your peepers in good shape!
- Eat right to protect your sight.
Keep your eyes healthy by eating a well-balanced diet. Load up on different types of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens like spinach and kale. - Get moving.
Kids who exercise often have a healthier body weight than kids who don’t. Being overweight or obese can put you at higher risk for diabetes and other conditions that can lead to vision problems. - Speak up if your vision changes.
Is your vision blurry? Do you squint a lot? Tell a parent or teacher if your eyes are bothering you or if you notice any changes in your vision. - Wear your glasses!
- Keep the germs away.
Always wash your hands before putting them close to your eyes. - Gear up.
Playing your favorite sport? Using chemicals during science class? Mowing the lawn? Wear the right protection to keep your eyes safe. - Wear your shades.
Choose sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. - Give your eyes a break.
Do you spend a lot of time looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen? Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. - Say no to smoking.
Smoking can put you at risk for some pretty serious eye issues, which can lead to blindness. - Talk about it.
Does anyone in your family have issues with their eyes? Talking about eye health with your family can help all of you stay healthy.
September is also Sport Eye Safety Awareness Month. So many sports kick off, literally, during the month of September, from football to volleyball and soccer; and they can all be a threat to eye health. According to the American Academy of Opthamology, “Nearly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year. The good news is that 90% of serious eye injuries could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear.” As you send your kids off to practice or games, or if you are active in sports yourself, don’t forget equipment to protect their eyes and your eyes. You wouldn’t play football without a helmet or soccer without shin guards. Meet with an eye care professional to learn more about equipment you can use to protect your eyes.