This Summer, Get Caught Up on Eye Care
by Sara Whitaker
As we load up the minivans and SUVs and send our children away to Vacation Bible School, summer camp, mission trips and sports camps, the checklist in our parental brains is in full force: Sunscreen, check! Sports equipment, check! Snacks, water, change of clothes, check! As you (rightfully) start to pat yourself on the back, it dawns on you – annual eye exam. Err … system shutdown.
From infant to toddler, tween to teen and every age in-between, healthy vision is important to your child’s overall health, well-being and happiness. Like many aspects of a healthy lifestyle, habits for eye health begin at birth and continue from there. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, even if there are no risk factors or family history of vision problems, children need vision screenings on an ongoing basis.
Below are the recommended examination ages:
- Initial newborn screening (especially in premature babies)
- Between six months and one year of age at a routine well-child exam
- Between three and three and a half years by a pediatrician, family physician or other trained professional
- Upon entering school
- Annual exams at school age
Some children experience eye problems and are either too young to articulate that they are experiencing issues, or, if they’re older, might be embarrassed or scared to tell mom or dad that they are having vision problems.
Some warning signs that your small child might have vision problems include:
- Constant eye rubbing
- Trouble following or tracking an object
- Chronic redness or watering of the eyes
In older children, watch for:
- Squinting
- Difficulty reading
- Not wanting to participate in a favorite sport or activity
- Complaints of double vision, headaches or eye pain
If your child has any of these symptoms, contact your pediatrician or family practice physician. He or she will likely examine your child in his or her office and could refer you to an ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician based on the findings.
Examinations and check-ups aside, things happen … it’s summer after all! Time for fun in the sun, sandboxes, beaches, sunscreen, fireworks, summer sports and outdoor activities – a breeding ground for eye injuries. While you and your family are enjoying summertime activities, if an eye injury should occur, here are some things to remember:
- DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
- DO NOT try to remove any object stuck in the eye. For small debris, lift the eyelid and ask child to blink rapidly to see if tears will flush out the particle. If not, close the eye and seek treatment.
- DO NOT apply ointment or medication to the eye.
- A cut or puncture wound should be gently covered.
- Only in the event of chemical exposure, flush with plenty of water.
