Eye care tips for children wearing glasses – Eye care tips for children wearing glasses

Nowadays, children wear glasses from a very young age. Many children have vision disorders at birth and are required to wear glasses at the age of 1 to 2 years. In such a situation, the eye health of children wearing glasses requires more care. Child care is a priority for parents and guardians. When it comes to eye health, it is important to fulfill this responsibility with full focus, especially for children who wear glasses.

Proper vision is important for children's development, learning and overall quality of life. In such a situation, children who wear glasses have to face many challenges and thoughts. It is important to be more conscious about their eye care to reduce their challenges (eye care tips for children). The information provided in this article about eye care for children wearing glasses will help them achieve clear vision with confidence.

On the occasion of World Sight Day, Dr. Ashish Doshi, pediatric ophthalmologist of Dr. Aggarwal Eye Hospital, Bhandup, Mumbai, has shared some important information related to the health of children who wear glasses. So let us know how to take care of the eyes of our small children.

Learn here eye care tips for small children wearing glasses (Health care Tips For Children Wearing Glasses)

1. Get your eyes checked regularly

According to experts, a general schedule of eye examination for children should be:

between 6-12 months
between 2-3 years
between 4-5 years
Annually, 6 years and older

Eye health checkups should occur at ages 3 and 5 to 6, ideally before starting school. These tests are important for detecting vision problems, allowing timely intervention that can help your vision development. Regular eye exams help ensure that any potential problems are detected early, reducing the risk of long-term vision loss.

2. Follow a healthy diet

A nutritious diet is very important to maintain the eye health of your child. Essential nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, as well as minerals like zinc, play an important role in supporting optimal vision. Foods rich in these nutrients include:

• Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A once it enters the body. Along with eye health, it also helps in improving vision.
• Leafy greens (like spinach and kale): Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect against harmful light.
• Citrus fruits: Provide vitamin C, which helps reduce the risk of cataracts.

Consuming a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables helps ensure that your child is getting the nutrition they need for their eye health, which helps prevent conditions like vision loss and macular degeneration.

3. Proper Lighting

Good lighting is important to reduce eye strain, especially during reading or homework. Natural light is ideal, but if this is not possible, use well-designed artificial lighting.

• Place the light lamp properly to protect the eyes from glare.
• Use soft, diffused light instead of harsh, direct sources.
• Make sure your child's study area is well-lit to relax their eyes and reduce the risk of fatigue.

Read also : Improve eyesight: These 5 Ayurvedic remedies can be helpful in improving eyesight.

4. Screen Time Management

Increasing screen time in children who wear glasses can also increase the power of their glasses. It is important to manage screen time effectively to prevent digital eye strain. For children under 2 years of age, screen time should be limited to essential video calls only. For older children:

• Limit recreational screen time and encourage educational activities.
• Apply the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes while watching a screen, ask your child to look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. You can repeat this activity without a screen as well.

Increased screen time can contribute to a variety of health problems, including social anxiety and attention difficulties, so it's important to promote balanced activities, including outdoor games and physical exercise.

5. UV Protection

It is essential to protect your child's eyes from UV rays to prevent long-term damage. Excessive UV exposure can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration with increasing age. It is especially more common in children with weak eyes.

• Make it a habit for children to wear sunglasses, if the child is already wearing glasses, then you can also get powered sunglasses for them. In this way you will be able to completely protect their eyes in the sun.
• Encourage them to wear wide-brimmed hats when going outside, which will help protect their face and eyes from harmful rays.

By making UV protection a habit, you can ensure that your children's eye health and vision remain intact as they grow older.

6. Pay attention to timely solving vision related problems

Be alert for signs of vision problems, such as frequent rubbing of eyes, squinting, difficulty seeing objects clearly, or complaining of headaches. Early detection is important, as many vision problems can be treated effectively in the early stages. If any worrying symptoms appear, keep these things in mind:

• Discuss this with your child's eye care expert.
• Any problems like refracting error (nearsightedness or farsightedness) or misalignment of the eyes
• Check their health regularly to identify and correct it.

7. Use the right lens

For children who require glasses, consistent use of prescribed corrective lenses is important. Wearing glasses as directed can prevent the condition from worsening and promote healthy vision development. For healthy eyes:

• Follow the lens insertion schedule recommended by your eye care specialist.
• Regularly check the fit of the glasses and make sure the prescription is correct. any
• Discuss discomfort or vision changes with an eye care provider immediately.

Also read: Eye infection in monsoon: Eyes are turning red and water is coming from them, so know how to take care of eyes in monsoon.