5 Ways You Can Help Your Child Have Healthy Vision

August 7th, 2017

August is officially here and parents are getting ready to send their children back to school. You are probably busy getting back-to-school haircuts, school supplies, and preparing for another great year.

We know how important it is to you as a parent that you set your child up for success in school. But did you know that your child’s ability to learn and succeed in school is largely impacted by their vision? The majority of a child’s learning is done visually so protecting their eyes should be a top priority.

Here are five ways you can help your child have healthy vision:

 

• Offer them nutrient-rich foods

 

Give your child nutrient-rich foods that will support eye health such as sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, and leafy greens. All of these foods provide ample doses of vitamin A and C and can lower their risk for developing common eye diseases like macular degeneration. DHA is also very beneficial to your child’s eyes.

 

• Encourage safety

 

If your child is involved in sports, have them wear athletic gear that will provide eye protection. And they should always wear a hat and sunglasses outdoors to protect their eyes from the sun’s UV rays.

 

• Watch for signs of trouble in school

 

School is often the first place vision problems are detected in children. If your child suddenly begins struggling with their schoolwork or seems to have an unusually hard time reading this could be a sign of vision problems.

 

• Encourage them to get enough sleep

 

Getting enough sleep is so important for our health and it is important for your child’s vision as well. Studies have shown that people who are sleep-deprived begin suffering from decreased alertness during visual tasks.

 

• Take them to yearly vision exams
  

 

Don’t just rely on the vision screenings provided by your child’s school as they were not designed to replace comprehensive eye exams. During an eye exam, your doctor will check your child’s vision and the overall health of their eyes.

If your child still needs their yearly vision screening contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.