Happy Children’s Vision Month
Did you know that only 14% of Canadian children under the age of 6 have had a proper eye exam by a Doctor of Optometry?
Unfortunately many parents mistakenly believe that they would notice if their child was having trouble seeing properly or experiencing other issues with their eyesight. The truth is that there are several types of eye diseases and conditions that do not have obvious symptoms in their early stages and can often go undiagnosed in children until the condition is more advanced and difficult to treat.
This is why the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) has named October Children’s Vision Month. At Unionville Optometry we are joining together in efforts to raise awareness for the importance of regular children eye exams and protecting the eyesight of our next generation.
In honor Children’s Vision Month this October here are 5 great tips to keep your child’s eyesight as healthy and sharp as possible.
- Book an annual eye exam for your child. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends an annual eye exam for school age children. The eye examination will include a review of the child’s health and vision history along with tests for nearsightedness and farsightedness plus other conditions such as astigmatism, lazy eye, eye coordination, focusing ability, depth perception, and more.
- Know the warning signs that your child may need an eye exam. This includes squinting, tilting of the head, covering one eye to read, complaining of headaches, frequently rubbing the eyes, and holding reading material closer than normal.
- Feed your children plenty of eye healthy foods. Make sure that their daily diet is full of Omega-3 fatty acids, Zinc, Vitamins C and E, and Lutein, all of which help promote strong eye health.
- Teach your kids how to take breaks from electronic devices. When playing on a Tablet, watching TV or texting with a friend, the 20-20-20 Rule applies: Every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and focus on something 20 feet away. Learn more about proper TV watching and electronic usage techniques here.
- Make sure your children protect their eyes while at play. This includes being cautious around sharp objects, wearing protective eyewear while playing sports, and wearing sunglasses when outside.
Here’s to happy and healthy eyes for you and your family!
We are accepting new patients! Book an appointment with our Unionville children’s optometrists this month by calling our office at 1-905-477-4488. Should your child need eye glasses we offer plenty of prescription glasses for kids made of impact-resistant lenses too.