Spotlight: Back to School Eye Health Tips for Every Age

It is that time of year again when your kids return to school. Whether you have a little one in kindergarten or you have a college student, you want to help give them the best start for the school year. 

One way to set your children up for success is to make sure they do not have eye or vision issues. Consider some of the following suggestions to help protect your child’s vision. 
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Elementary school 

Children in elementary school are learning to develop good health habits. It is an excellent time to instill proper hand hygiene to decrease the risk of infections, such as conjunctivitis. 

In addition, encourage exercise and being physically active. Studies show that kids who exercise often maintain a healthier weight than inactive kids. With all the video games, apps, and TV channels, it is easy for kids to become sedentary. The incidence of childhood obesity has increased, which puts kids at risk for diabetes, possibly leading to vision problems.  

Also, watch for signs your child may have some vision issues. Many people may think that vision problems only occur with aging, but people of any age can develop eye problems. In fact, some forms of vision issues, such as refractive errors, are common in kids. 

Younger children may not always tell you about problems with their vision.
Watch for signs such as: 

• Frequent headaches
• Squinting when reading 
• Holding books or tablets very close to the eyes
• Struggling to do homework 

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Middle school

Your middle schooler may be busy with different types of activities, such as sports, friends, and clubs, but take the time to talk about the importance of wearing protective sports equipment to protect their eyes. Also, remind your child to wear protective eyewear during science class when doing lab activities that involve chemicals, glassware, or heat.  

If you have not discussed the dangers of smoking, now is a good time. Smoking is bad for your child’s eyes and can lead to serious vision problems. Having this conversation may remind your child how smoking can hurt their overall health. 
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High school

Although kids of all ages use digital devices, your high school child may spend even more time on their cell phone or laptop. While some digital device use is needed, encourage a digital break. Staring at the device too long may cause digital eye strain. Remind your child to give their eyes a rest by taking a break every half hour or so for at least a few minutes and looking away from the screen. 

College

Depending on where your child is going to college, they may develop eye allergies for the first time. The level of pollen or other allergens may differ from where you live to where their new college is. Signs of fall eye allergies may include: 

• Itchy, burning eyes
• Watery eyes
• Red irritated eyes

Treatments such as antihistamines and over-the-counter eye drops may help. 

Additionally, remind your kids about contact lens safety. Your college student may be living away and juggling their new responsibilities. Provide a quick reminder to maintain good contact lens hygiene and practices to prevent infections.

Regardless of your child’s age, one of the best overall ways to help them off to a good school year is with an annual eye exam. Scheduling an eye exam at the start of the school year helps find any vision issues and correct problems before they interfere with learning.

The start of the school year can become busy, but taking a few minutes and talking to your children about eye health sets them up for good habits for the school year and beyond.

We are happy to answer any questions. To discuss whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, please call our office at 508-746-8600.