It’s essential for parents to always be on top of their children’s health. One health aspect that we should pay special attention to is a child’s eye health.
A recent eye health survey from eyewear manufacturer Zeiss found that 88% of parents are concerned about their children’s eye health. Survey results also show that 63% of parents say their children spend three or more hours looking at screens every day.
Fortunately, the survey also showed that parents practice a range of behaviors to protect their children’s eyes and vision. 76% of parents believe they play a role in enforcing their children’s eye protection behaviors, with 41% using screen time breaks and 58% relying on eyewear for vision correction, sun protection, and blue light protection.
Of course, these aren’t the only ways parents can maintain toddler eye health. In this post, we’ll look at four eye health tips for parents to reinforce in their young children:
Scheduling routine eye exams
One of the first steps to understanding and keeping track of your toddler’s eye health is to have their eye checked by experts regularly, especially before they reach school age. Thanks to the Internet, it’s become even easier to book an eye exam via online stores or retailers.
Booking eye exams online helps you find the nearest clinics and qualified optometrists for your preferred time and date, making it easier for you to plan and schedule eye exams ahead of time.
Eye experts recommend that children and teenagers take an eye exam every two years or so, ensuring that vision issues don’t impact their day-to-day activities. You should also help your child by prepping them before an eye exam, from staying hydrated to getting good sleep, to help you get accurate results.
You can also prep your child by engaging in pretend play and acting out a practice eye exam, so your toddler knows what to expect and won’t be intimidated by the eye doctor.
Leading by example
It’s also important that you be a good example for your toddlers. Explaining the importance of maintaining your eye health to a young child can be challenging, so it may be easier to simply demonstrate to them what you can do to take care of your eyes.
Above, we explained the importance of scheduling routine eye exams for your toddler. It can also help if you schedule one for yourself, so you’re in the same boat together, and your toddler can enjoy the unique quality time together.
Aside from doing eye tests together, you can lead by example by practicing healthy eye and vision habits that your child can easily emulate. This includes not using your phone or tablet in bed or close to bedtime as well as eating healthier snacks and meals to maintain your eye health.
Eating a healthy diet
As mentioned, eating healthier snacks and meals can help your toddler maintain good vision and eye health. Nutrients such as zinc, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E have been linked with positive eye health.
Of course, this can be a challenging habit to reinforce in young children, as some toddlers are known to be picky eaters.
Fortunately, you can still offer your toddler healthy meals without dealing with mealtime tantrums or breakdowns over leafy greens. Fruits with vitamins C and E, such as oranges, strawberries, and mangos, are great for restoring eye tissues and preventing infections, and they are also colorful and appealing to young children.
Fortunately, fruits are easy to “market” to growing children. You can try freeze-dried fruits for a crunchy texture without compromising the nutrients or turn them into smoothies.
Reducing screen time
Finally, in a time when “iPad kids” are a popular phenomenon, it’s important to practice healthy screen time habits with your toddler. Of course, some screen time can still be beneficial for children.
There are lots of educational games and multimedia materials that toddlers can learn from while practicing some independence. However, too much screen time puts your toddler at risk of prolonged blue light exposure.
Aside from being linked to vision-related symptoms like headaches and eye strain, blue light is also known to mess with melatonin production — the hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.
Teaching your toddler to take breaks from the screen once in a while can help prevent eye issues and make them sleep better, making the next day’s activities all the more enjoyable for you and your child.
Two Jersey Moms, a pediatric occupational therapist & elementary school teacher, providing fun and simple activities to get your little ones learning through play.