Children's Eye Health and Safety Month, observed in August, aims to raise awareness of the well-being of children's eyes and ensure the safety of children’s eyes. With the school year getting ready to begin, it’s important to prioritize the well-being of children’s eye care as they resume their educational journey. With 30,000 public school students in the Leon County School District alone, it’s clearly important to emphasize the significance of children's eye care.
Routine eye exams play a crucial role in maintaining the eye health of a child. Doctors recommend annual vision screenings from ages 3 to 6 to assess visual acuity, eye coordination, and overall eye health. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to schedule comprehensive eye exams for their children, especially before the start of each school year.
It’s also important to promote children's eye safety at home, not just at school. Parents and caregivers can implement measures that can contribute to children's eye health, including encouraging outdoor play, limiting screen time, providing a balanced diet, and educating children about proper eye protection. Parents are often the first to notice problems with their child’s eyes,by such things as squinting, rubbing their eyes, and headaches after excessive screen time.
Parents and teachers can monitor these and other possible warning signs, especially during Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. By scheduling regular eye exams, promoting eye safety at school, and implementing healthy practices at home, we can all play a role in safeguarding the vision of young ones in our surrounding area.
Sourced By: Healthwise
Reviewed By: Capital Health Plan Physicians Group