Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight

August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

(Honolulu, HI) August 7, 2024 — With Back-to-School in full swing, there is no better time to focus on your child’s eye health. Exposure to germs, increased screen time, and dynamic playtime can mean more risks to your keiki’s eye health and safety.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology designates August as “Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month.” Whether your child has glasses, plays sports, or just needs to monitor their screen time, HEC wants to help keep their eyes protected.

Classroom learning now includes staring for hours at both digital and non-digital tools, which can cause a lot of strain and pressure on the eyes. Some risks include nearsightedness, myopia, dry eye disease, along with other vision concerns. Later on, without proper care, these can lead to retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, causing eye pain or headaches. Getting ahead of your child’s eye needs – from checkups to glasses and other tools– can prevent a lifetime of physical and learning challenges. There is no better time than now to take the proper preventative measures as your keiki’s eyes and vision continue to develop.

The Hawaiian Eye center suggests these 10 helpful tips to protect and preserve your children’s eye health:

1. Encourage minute-long breaks from closeup work, every 20 minutes
2. Keep digital media 18 to 24 inches away from their face
3. Introduce nutritious, balanced meals and snacks full of vitamins A, C, and E
4. Make sure they are getting a full night’s sleep
5. Protect their eyes outside with proper eyewear, especially in sports settings
6. Limit screen time to a maximum of 1-2 hours per day for kids ages 2 to 5, guided screen time with frequent breaks for kids over 5, and no screen time for children under 1
7. Designate screen time to educational materials, limit cartoons and video games, to prevent strain
8. Encourage outdoor time, to balance out close-up work, to receive crucial doses of natural light
9. Schedule comprehensive eye exams to catch signs of eye problems, or a need for glasses
10. Make sure headwear and eyewear have the proper fit, for both protection and comfort

“If your child exhibit’s signs of having a short attention span, eye pain, or trouble concentrating, it may be a sign that they are having vision problems and need your help to get the right support,” says Dr. Steven Rhee of Hawaiian Eye Center.

To learn more or to schedule an eye appointment, please visit: https://www.hawaiianeye.com/