August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

As the end of the summer approaches, back-to-school time is top of mind for many parents. One of the most important ways to ensure a successful school year is to make your child’s sight a priority.

Eye Safety Information

If you’re bringing your child for yearly eye exams, you’re doing right by your child. It’s important to note that eye problems can develop between yearly appointments. For that reason, it’s important to be on the lookout for behaviors and signs that indicate a child may be experiencing some sort of vision problem.

If you note any of the following signs and behaviors, schedule an appointment with an eye professional.

Eye Appearance:

  • Eyes not lining up properly—one eye turns in or out.

  • Eyelids are red, crusty, or swollen

  • Eyes are red or watery

Behavior:

  • Rubbing eyes all the time

  • Covers or closes an eye

  • Tilts head to the side or pushes the head forward, especially when watching television

  • Holds book too close or too far away

  • Blinking often

  • Becomes cranky when forced to do reading or other close work

  • Squints or frowns

  • Disinterest in reading or viewing distant objects

  • Eyes tend to wander

A wide variety of topics that help parents take keep their child’s sight healthy for life can be found at National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye website:

www.nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/

 

Topics covered include amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), UV-protection and sports safety, and the Affordable Care Act and children’s vision.