Looking to Protect Kids’ Vision 

When you’re considering healthy habits for kids, don’t overlook eye health. Vision screenings are part of routine pediatric wellness checks starting at age 3. But, it takes more than a check-up to maintain healthy vision.

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Here are some eye health tips from Dr. Ana Tanase, integrative medicine pediatrician at TMCOne.

Screens and Sleep Don’t Mix

If kids use a TV, iPad or phone to fall asleep, it’s actually having the opposite effect by making it harder for them to unwind. End screen time two hours before bedtime and use dim lights at home in the evenings to help kids fall asleep. Blue light from screens, LED lights or fluorescent lights interfere with the body clock, or circadian rhythm, and the brain’s natural production of melatonin. Blue light can also cause eye strain, headaches, blurred vision or tired eyes.

Digital Eye Strain Linked to Nearsightedness

Digital eye strain can lead to myopia, or nearsightedness. Teach your kids to keep electronic devices 18-24 inches from their eyes and follow the 20-20-20 rule. Look up from the screen every 20 minutes and focus at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Best Light is Outdoors

Sunlight is balanced with all the colors of the spectrum and helps regulate wake and sleep cycles. Not getting enough sunlight can affect vision growth and development and increase the risk of myopia/nearsightedness in teens and young adults. However, be sure to protect your child’s eyes from direct sunlight or reflective light from water, sand or snow with glasses that provide 100% UV or UV400 protection.

Healthy eye habits that start early will help protect your child from severe nearsightedness or cataracts as adults. If you don’t already follow these healthy habits as a parent, Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month is a good time to get started so you can practice eye safety together.