Although healthy vision of the eyes is critical to the growth, well-being, social development, and school success of every child; The problem remains that children suffering from difficulty seeing are often silent without any signs of their presence. Also, children rarely complain when they feel difficulty seeing, thinking that this is the normal situation, and that everyone sees the world as they see it.
Vision problems are one of the most common disabilities in childhood, with 1 in 20 pre-school children and 1 in 4 school-age children suffering from it. of vision problems. Impaired vision problems also affect children’s health and well-being in adulthood and “can even cause vision loss”; According to the Eyes on Learning website (eyesonlearning).
Dr. Russell Lazarus, a consultant optometrist, and one of the optometry experts at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, says; “Protecting a child’s eyes and helping them see, learn, achieve success and enjoy life is crucial.”
And submit experts A collection of important tips for eye care in children.
The importance of the outdoors
Although it is important to provide home toys in different shapes, sizes, and colors, to help children “develop and enhance visual participation, and stimulate hand-eye coordination,” it is also important to set aside time to play in the sunlight or walk outdoors; To mitigate the negative effects of the hours a child spends in near vision activities that exhaust the eye muscles, such as reading and using electronic devices. And help him see things clearly, and allow the muscles of his eyes to relax, and look at things from a distance, and reduce the risk of developing diseases such as myopia.
sunglasses
Given “excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation has been linked to serious eye diseases later in life”; It is preferable to wear protective glasses from harmful rays when exposed to the sun. It was confirmed that “proper sunglasses ensure 100% protection of children’s eyes from UV rays”.
The use of safety glasses made of shatter-resistant plastic lenses during sports activities is also necessary to protect against serious eye injuries, as it “can prevent about 90% of injuries”; According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Healthy food for the eyes
Because healthy vision development is linked to the foods our children consume, their diet should include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain eye health, such as zinc and vitamins A, C, and E. E). In addition to salmon, tuna and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, “they have a special effect on children’s eyes,” says Dr. Courtney Lynn Krause, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the United States of America.
Regular eye examination
One of the best things to do to protect your child’s eye health is regular visits to the ophthalmologist. As directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ophthalmologists also recommend examining the child from the age of 6 months, then when he is 3 years old, and before entering school. Then perform an annual eye examination and track the development of vision, early detection of any abnormalities, and stop and treat any disorder, especially when you notice any of the following signs:
Even a slight squint, eye rubbing, head tilt, or sensitivity to light. Bringing objects closer to the eyes, ignoring reading or looking at distant objects. Difficulty recognizing written letters and words. Difficulty concentrating and complaining of headaches after doing homework. Color blindness, or the inability to distinguish between certain colors, especially red and green or blue and yellow.
family history
Many eye problems are inherited through gene sequences. A child is often more likely to develop a visual condition or vision disorder.
Pay attention to safety precautions
Including keeping chemicals, household cleaners, and sharp or pointed objects, out of the reach of the child so that they do not pose a great threat to the health of his eyes, amounting to the threat of blindness. where it arrives More than 1.5 million infections In Al Ain to emergency departments in the United States alone.
Reduce screen time
It is very important to “reduce the child’s time in front of the screen, and teach him the importance of giving his eyes a break, especially at night.” Excessive screen time “can lead to blurred vision, headaches, eye strain and dry eyes.”
Beware of smoking
According American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Smoking can harm a baby’s eyes, even before it’s born.” Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, which is likely to cause blindness in premature babies. It may also increase a child’s risk of bacterial meningitis, which “may cause blindness.”
Familiarity with first aid steps
According to WebMD (webmd), It is important to know how to act in the event that a child is exposed to an injury, such as something spilled in his eye, and to wash the eye with water for at least 20 minutes, in conjunction with calling the emergency room to seek medical help.
Likewise, if a child is hit by a blunt object in his eye, the eye should be examined. If you see bleeding, or if you find it difficult to open your eyelids, seek medical help immediately.
If the child continues to rub his eye, complains of pain and blurred vision, the doctor should be contacted, and the affected child’s eye should be covered with cold compresses for 15 minutes every hour.
Get enough sleep
Not getting enough sleep can affect how well a child’s eyes recover from daily stress and irritants in the environment, such as dry air, allergens, and pollutants.
2023-07-08 14:39:00
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