Our eye health is important, which is why we need to protect it from a young age. Your child’s eyes are their windows to the world, and taking care of their eye health means caring for their development and giving them the best start in life. 

Take a look at the following steps to protect your child’s eyesight and keep their eyes healthy. They can help protect your own eye health, too!

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Avoid too much screen time

Kids love technology, but too much of it can be damaging to their eyes. Studies show that too much screen time increases the risk of myopia in children and teens - the near-sightedness you might be familiar with as an adult. Try to limit screen time to prevent eye strain, as well as poor posture and other issues. Ensure your child takes plenty of breaks from the screen to enjoy other activities like drawing, playing with toys and physical activity.

Start regular eye exams at an early age

It’s important to start eye exams for children at a young age. This can help detect any problems early, while also following the development of their eyes over time. Regular eye checks mean problems can be spotted at an early stage, allowing them to be treated quickly. Just like going to the dentist or doctor, eye exams should be a firm part of your family’s health routine, so be sure to book in regular appointments.

Maintain a good diet

A healthy diet is another good way to help protect your child’s eyesight. You’ll remember being told that carrots help you see in the dark, and there is some truth in that! Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which helps protect your vision in low-light conditions. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables can help ensure your child gets what they need, for better overall health. If, however, you’re dealing with a picky eater, you might need to think of some clever ways to get healthier foods into their diet - smoothies and vegetable-rich sauces are just two of the ways you can do this.

Make sure they get enough sleep

Your eyes can feel blurry, swollen and strained after one night of bad sleep - so what will multiple poor nights do? Getting enough sleep is important for your child to help their bodies recover and recharge, and that includes their eyes. Adopt a solid nighttime routine to help your child settle in for bed, and avoid screens for at least one hour before bed to help their minds switch off and minimize the impact of blue light generated by different devices. 

Taking care of your child’s eyesight from a young age helps set them up with some good habits for a bright future. From regular eye checks to healthy habits, there are many things you can do as a parent to help. Make eye health a priority for the whole family and start seeing the difference it can make.