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How to Keep Your Kids’ Eyes Bright: Expert Tips
Ensuring the long-term health of our children’s eyes is crucial for their overall well-being and development. While genetics play a role, habits and lifestyle choices influence many aspects of eye health. By instilling positive behaviors early on, parents can help safeguard their children’s vision.
Oakley discusses the five key habits to prioritize to maintain healthy eyesight in kids.
Get Outdoors
Encouraging outdoor playtime is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to promote healthy vision in children. Natural light exposure helps regulate the development of the eyes and reduces the risk of nearsightedness. Oakley says, ‘Outdoor activities stimulate visual development and help prevent the onset of myopia. Aim for at least two hours of outdoor play each day, allowing kids to engage in activities that promote distance vision, such as running, biking, and playing sports.’
Balance Screen Time
In today’s digital age, children spend more time than ever in front of screens, which can strain their eyes and contribute to vision problems. It’s essential to establish healthy screen time habits early on. Limit recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day for older children and encourage frequent breaks to rest their eyes. The experts advise parents to encourage kids to use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Provide A Nutrient-Rich Diet
A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is vital for maintaining optimal eye health. Foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E can help protect against age-related vision problems and promote overall eye health. Incorporate plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet, such as carrots, spinach, berries, and oranges. Oakley says, ‘Nutrient-rich foods support healthy eye development and reduce the risk of conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts later in life.’
Ensure Proper Eye Protection
Whether playing sports or engaging in outdoor activities, children should always wear appropriate eye protection to prevent injuries. Ensure they wear helmets when biking or skating and protective goggles when participating in sports like basketball or swimming. Additionally, sunglasses with UV protection are essential for shielding their eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. Invest in quality sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to reduce the risk of long-term eye damage.
Schedule Regular Eye Check-Ups
Regular eye exams are crucial for detecting and addressing vision problems early on. Schedule comprehensive eye exams for your child starting at around six months of age, then again at age three and before starting school. Afterward, annual eye exams are recommended to monitor their vision and eye health. Oakley stresses, ‘Early detection of vision issues is key to successful treatment and management. Regular eye check-ups can identify problems like refractive errors or lazy eye and allow for prompt intervention.’
Oakley says, ‘By incorporating these five key habits into your child’s routine, you can play an active role in safeguarding their vision and promoting lifelong eye health. Remember, establishing healthy habits early on sets the foundation for a lifetime of optimal vision. Investing in your child’s eye health today ensures they’ll see the world clearly tomorrow.’
About Oakley
Oakley is a sports and lifestyle brand that provides you with the best in all types of eyewear, from sunglasses to ski goggles. They also have a range of adventure-ready apparel and accessories to kit you out for your next big trip.
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