You may expect adults to suffer from vision problems, but they are something that children can have as well. In August every year, the eye care community focuses on raising awareness about potential problems that children can

face. 
Knowing what to look for can help detect certain problems. Good prevention habits will stop existing problems from getting out of control. Keep reading to learn more about Children’s Eye Safety Month!

Refractive Errors

Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are things that many people have to deal with in life. They are refractive errors that occur when light is not accurately focused inside of the eye. 
This results in blurry vision at certain distances or uneven eyesight. It is particularly important for children to fix this issue with glasses as soon as possible. 
The problem can become worse as the brain doesn’t have a chance to learn how to see correctly. Their education can suffer as they are unable to focus and may even have headaches. 

Epiphora

Some children are born with or develop an issue that causes excessive tearing called epiphora. This is often due to the system inside the eye responsible for draining being blocked. 
It will usually correct itself within a year. But treatment may be necessary. This includes special massage therapy for the tear sacs and eye drops. Surgery may be necessary to unblock the tear ducts if the problem does not fix itself. 

Cataracts

You may be surprised to learn that children can get cataracts, and some are even born with them. Cataracts are largely safe to remove, even for children. 
It is only necessary if the cataract actually obstructs vision.

Eye Infections

Children are every bit as susceptible to infections as the rest of us. They are also more likely to touch their face and eyes with dirty hands. 
Look for signs such as redness, mucus discharge, and general discomfort of your children’s eyes.   

Prevention Methods  

It is never too soon to start practicing good eyecare habits. Instilling good hygienic, dietary, and safety measures in your child forms lasting behaviors. Try to:

  • Teach them good handwashing techniques, and to use these frequently. Have them avoid touching their face, especially around their eyes, as much as possible. Germs are everywhere, and your eyes are weak spots that bacteria can grow and multiply in.
  • Help them stay hydrated and feed them healthy foods that promote good eye health. Water is necessary for many bodily functions. If you’re dehydrated, you won’t produce enough tears. Make sure to eat enough of certain kinds of foods like oily fish, walnuts, leafy greens, and seeds. These have vitamins and minerals that can help develop strong vision and healthy eyes. 
  • Limit screen usage, as this can cause computer vision syndrome and preliminary dry eye. If screens and devices must be used, make sure to take frequent breaks. 
  • Take them to regular eye checkups. At Chesen Laser Eye Center, we can diagnose problems before they become serious. This makes it much easier to treat existing issues before they cause permanent damage.     

Does your child need an eye exam? Schedule one at Chesen Laser Eye Center in West Reading, PA now!