OOMC News

Contrary to popular belief, children aren’t immune to eye problems. In fact, the American Optometric Association says 1 in 4 children already wear or need glasses by the time they enter kindergarten.

To preserve their vision and prevent eye problems from developing, it’s important to keep your children’s eye health in mind. Read on to learn more about how you can prevent eye problems in young kids.

Understand The Warning Signs

The moment you notice your child showing symptoms of eye problems, you need to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor right away.

Know Common Eye Problems For Children:

Children of all ages can have a number of eye- or vision-related issues. An eye doctor will be able to assess your child’s eyes and determine if they’re suffering from any one of the following eye problems.

• Strabismus– crossed eyes
• Amblyopia– lazy eye
• Ptosis– drooping eyelid
• Refractive errors– astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness

Your child’s eye doctor will also check to see if they have a color deficiency or are color blind.

Prepare Their Eyes For School

Experiencing vision problems as a child can hinder many aspects of life, especially in school. Fortunately, parents can help get their kids and their young eyes ready for the school year with annual eye doctor appointments.

As stated, your child’s eye doctor will look for any eye problems and will test the child’s vision. An eye test can determine whether they will need a prescription for glasses or contacts. If they do, you’ll want to have it filled immediately to give your child a chance to get used to wearing the lenses before the school year begins.

Ensure Eye Safety For Kids

It’s also important to keep your kids’ eye safe from potential injury. According to Hap, eye injuries are one of the leading causes of vision loss in children. Make sure your kids have the proper sports equipment to ensure their eyes are protected while playing sports.

Keeping your children’s eyes healthy, especially at an early age, can preserve their vision for years to come. So, be sure to follow the tips above and contact your local eye doctor for more information about how you can keep your children’s eyes as healthy as possible.