{"id":17829,"date":"2021-10-06T13:49:54","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T13:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=17829"},"modified":"2022-02-08T08:55:02","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T08:55:02","slug":"healthy-eyes-for-life-8-ideas-to-teach-children","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/healthy-eyes-for-life-8-ideas-to-teach-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Eyes for Life: 8 Ideas to Teach Children"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Parents can teach their children the lifestyle habits and behaviors that are best for their eyes and vision.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Most children can appreciate the importance of clear vision and good eye health, and are open to learning how to best protect their eyes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/a-guide-to-eye-infections\/\">infection<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/eye-emergencies\/6-most-frequent-eye-injuries\/\">injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Beginning with positive habits at a young age will aid in the development of a lifestyle that will encourage healthy eyes and vision for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n<h2><b>1. Eat right<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Eating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-health\/eyes-and-nutrition\/\">well-balanced diet<\/a> rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-cataracts\/can-leafy-green-vegetables-prevent-cataracts\/\">green leafy vegetables<\/a> like spinach, kale or broccoli, as well as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like salmon, halibut and tuna will provide your eyes with the nutrition they require to function at their fullest.<\/p>\n<h2><b>2. Enjoy exercise<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>A healthy lifestyle has been found to lower the risk of developing several\u00a0 eye diseases, as well as general health problems, like Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to vision loss and even blindness.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-myopia-management\/can-outdoor-time-prevent-myopia\/\">Spending time outdoors<\/a> can also reduce the risk of developing myopia (short-sightedness).<\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Protect your eyes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>When participating in activities such as sports, especially those that are high-impact or involve flying objects, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/eye-protection-at-home\/\">eye protection<\/a> is vital.<\/p>\n<p>Also using chemicals or power tools, or working with sharp objects like glass or wood, make sure their eyes are protected.<\/p>\n<p>Safety behaviors such as carrying pointed objects like scissors, knives and pencils with the sharp end pointing down can help safeguard your eyes. When using sprays, make sure they&#8217;re pointed away from your eyes.<\/p>\n<p>To avoid eye damage, consult your eye doctor about the appropriate eye protection for your child.<\/p>\n<h2><b>4. Wear sunglasses\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>When your child is spending time outdoors, ensure they wear 100 percent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-childrens-eye-exams\/children-and-sunglasses\/\">UV blocking sunglasses<\/a> and a hat with a brim to protect the eyes from the sun.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-cataracts\/\">Cataracts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/macular-degeneration-guide\/\">macular degeneration<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-corneal-diseases\/pinguecula-and-pterygium\/\">pterygium<\/a> are all eye diseases that can be caused by the sun&#8217;s radiation. Sunglasses also shield the eyes from the elements.<\/p>\n<p>Sand, wind, and dust can irritate your eyes or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-corneal-diseases\/corneal-scratch\/\">scratch your\u00a0 cornea<\/a>, which can cause irreversible eye damage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SEE RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/healthy-eyes-for-life-8-ideas-to-teach-children\/healthy-eyes-for-life-babies-and-toddlers\/\">Healthy Eyes for Life: Babies and Toddlers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you<\/a> to discuss your child\u2019s vision.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2><b>5. Avoid eye rubbing<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Avoid rubbing the eyes, even if it feels like there is something stuck inside it.<\/p>\n<p>Rubbing your eyes can scratch your cornea, the clear front part of the eye. Itchy, irritated eyes are a symptom of many conditions, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/a-guide-to-eye-infections\/\">eye infections<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-health\/eyes-and-allergies\/\">allergies<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome\/\"> dry eye syndrome.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>6. Take a break from digital screens<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>These days, screen time is a major issue.<\/p>\n<p>Children spend over 6 to 7 hours every day staring at digital screens, whether it be\u00a0 a computer at school or at home, a smartphone, a TV, or tablet or gaming device.<\/p>\n<p>Spending excessive time staring at a screen is a leading cause of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-blurry-vision-and-headaches\/digital-eye-strain\/\">eye strain.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>However, the 20-20-20 rule may be useful: take a 20-minute break every 20 minutes and stare at anything 20 feet away for 20 at least seconds.<\/p>\n<h2><b>7. Keep hands clean<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Handwashing helps to prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Children who touch their eyes after playing outside are putting themselves at higher risk of an eye infection.<\/p>\n<p>Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, especially after coming home from school or playing outside, and to refrain from rubbing their eyes.<\/p>\n<h2><b>8. Your eye doctor is your friend<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Annual<a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-childrens-eye-exams\/pediatric-eye-exams-2\/\"> eye exams<\/a> are vital to assess your children\u2019s eyesight and eye health.<\/p>\n<p><b>Take time to find the right eye doctor for your child.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Children&#8217;s vision can change quickly as they grow. In some cases, dramatic changes can occur in less than a year!<\/p>\n<p>Undiagnosed vision problems can cause headaches and eye strain, and can also interfere with schoolwork.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LEARN MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/\">Children&#8217;s Vision<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you,<\/a> to evaluate your child\u2019s eyes and vision.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>Teach your children about fundamental eye care and safety to help them learn the importance of taking care of their precious eye sight.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Encourage your children to follow these guidelines\u2014 and as a parent, remember to set a good example for them!<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parents can teach their children the lifestyle habits and behaviors that are best for their eyes and vision. Most children can appreciate the importance of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":17830,"parent":1379,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17829","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Healthy Eyes for Life: 8 Ideas to Teach Children - Optometrists.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/healthy-eyes-for-life-8-ideas-to-teach-children\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Healthy Eyes for Life: 8 Ideas to Teach Children - Optometrists.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Parents can teach their children the lifestyle habits and behaviors that are best for their eyes and vision. 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