As a parent, one of the things you need to prioritize is the health of your child’s eyesight. Over time, your child’s eye health and visual development will go through many changes as they grow. Although these changes occur at a different pace for each child, there are many ways you can do to make sure your child’s eyesight is in top shape.
This May, we celebrate Healthy Vision Month. To help you take care of your child’s eyesight, Eyes on Norbeck shares some tips and ideas.
Increase Visual Engagement
For newborns and toddlers, use high-contrast colors and patterns in their toys and decor to engage them visually. For instance, you may want to hang colorful mobiles of different shapes and sizes in their cribs to promote visual engagement and development.
When in new environments, give your child time to focus on things around them and approach objects from all angles to help them be comfortable with a wider field of vision. You should also consider playing games such as peekaboo and patty cake to stimulate hand-eye coordination for babies.
Provide a Balanced Diet
To keep your child’s eyes healthy and ensure rapid development, be sure to provide them with a balanced diet. Leafy greens that contain Vitamin A or fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to prevent dry eyes. Foods with omega-3 also help combat the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration or AMD.
Vitamins C and E from fruits such as oranges, mangoes, and strawberries may also restore tissue and prevent eye infections. Remember that a balanced diet can also prevent obesity and hypertension, which are also linked to additional eye diseases.
Monitor Screen Time
These days, digital learning is becoming more common. This means more and more people are looking at screens from computers, tablets, and mobile phones. Keep in mind that the blue-violet light emitted by digital devices can cause digital eye strain, causing blurred vision as well as dry and irritated eyes. For this reason, you should monitor your child’s screen time. Keep the screens 18 to 24 inches away from the eyes, and encourage your child to take prolonged screen breaks.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Keep an eye out for any signs of issues, including squinting, head tilting, sensitivity to light, or reading difficulties. Should your child complain about blurred vision or headaches, be sure to get in touch with your optometrist. Regular eye exams can also help eye care experts determine whether your child needs glasses or has any issues that need to be addressed.
At Eyes on Norbeck, we provide top-quality services to ensure your child’s eye health remains in great condition. Give us a call at (301) 238-7199 or fill out our contact form to book an appointment. We serve residents of Rockville, MD, and the surrounding communities.
