Simple ways to protect your child’s eyes

#1: Rest the eyes

Taking regular breaks after every 30-40 minutes of reading, writing, or playing the computer is recommended. Time spent on electronic devices such as tablets, mobile phones or handheld devices should be reduced too.

The American Academy of Paediatric (AAP) recommends that children should engage with entertainment media for no more than 1 or 2 hours per day¹. Television or other entertainment media should be avoided for infants and children under age 2. A child’s brain develops rapidly during these first years, and young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens¹.

#2: Protection against sun damage

Invest in sun protection accessories such as sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection, or hats to shield your child from the sun’s damaging rays. For younger children, a hat or umbrella will be more ideal to avoid the risk of them poking their eyes with the sunglasses.

#3: Increase time spent outdoors

Studies have shown that outdoor activities delay the development of myopia². Therefore, incorporating more outdoor activities with your child like swimming or cycling is beneficial. These outdoor activities promote physical fitness as well as improve hand-eye coordination for your child. However, do remember to avoid the hottest periods of the day (typically from 11am to 4pm).

#4: Intake of fruits, vegetables and fatty fish

Eating vegetables and fruits that are high in lutein and zeaxanthin have been found to protect eyes from free radical damage³. These nutrients can be found in foods such as kale, collard greens, spinach, brussels sprout, egg yolks, corn, avocado, pistachios, goji berries, orange peppers, kiwi, grapes, orange juice and zucchini. Eating fatty fish like salmon, herring and tuna is also beneficial to the development of the eyes.

#5: Schedule regular eye check ups

Good vision is key to a child’s physical development, success in school and overall well-being.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) recommend vision screenings to be regularly conducted on children starting when they are new-borns, during infancy (between six months to one year), and throughout their pre-school and school-going years⁴.

The earlier an eye problem is detected, the earlier an appropriate treatment can be recommended to ensure successful vision correction and life-long benefits.

#6: Encourage healthy eye care habits

Maintain healthy eye care habits such as providing adequate lighting when your child is reading or playing. When reading, your child should be kept about 30-40cm away from the book, or about 50cm away from electronic devices. Getting at least eight hours of sleep each night is also important in preventing your child’s eyes from getting strained.

References:

¹

1) https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/pages/media-and-children.aspx
2) http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/190
3) http://blogs.webmd.com/food-and-nutrition/2012/08/vision-quest-keep-an-eye-or-two-out-for-these-foods.html
4) http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/5/983.full.html.
Other resource: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-vision-tv/video-food-for-your-eyes