NEW YORK (August 5, 2021) – COVID-19 continues to pose challenges for many parents and students. But whether your children are going back to school in a physical classroom or remotely at home, it is important to make sure they get their vision checked. Lighthouse Guild points out that vision is one of the keys to success in school and encourages parents to make sure their children get regular vision screenings.
“The most important thing you can do to protect your child’s vision is to make sure they get an eye exam,” says Dr. Laura Sperazza, Director of Low Vision Services at Lighthouse Guild. “An eye health professional can determine if your child needs eyeglasses or contact lenses, or if there is a vision problem that requires further intervention.”
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Lighthouse Guild offers five healthy vision tips to help safeguard your child’s eye health.
Eat Your Carrots – The old saying still applies. Encourage your children to eat a well-balanced diet loaded with different types of fruits and veggies as well as fish.
Speak Up – Ask your children to let you know if they notice any vision changes. Examples would be blurry vision, frequent squinting, or general eye discomfort.
Wear Your Glasses – Help your children understand the importance of wearing their eyeglasses. If they are resistant because they believe glasses are unattractive, try pointing out sports figures and other well-known people who wear glasses. Talk with them about how to clean and store their glasses. Let them choose an eyeglass case with a theme or design they like to make the experience of wearing glasses seem more special. For an older child, explore the possibility of contact lenses.
Rest Your Eyes – Looking continuously at a computer, phone, or TV screen can tire eyes. Encourage your children to take a break from staring at the screen. Teach them the 20/20/20 rule for computer use. After 20 minutes on the computer, they should take a break for 20 seconds and look 20 feet away to relax the eyes. This is good rule for adults also!
Wear Safety Gear – Make sure your children wear goggles or other types of protective eye wear while playing sports, using chemicals or tools for school projects, or engaging in other activities. Many eye injuries can be prevented with better safety habits.
About Lighthouse Guild
Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. We provide coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation and behavioral health as well as related services. Our podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts,” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org.
Back-to-School Vision and Eye Health Tips from Lighthouse Guild
August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month