Going outside is great for your eyes! Natural light helps kids' eyes grow strong because sunlight triggers the release of dopamine in the retina. It also gives eyes a necessary break from screens. So as pediatric ophthalmologists, we want you to go outside and have some fun! Just read these tips first to keep your child’s eyes safe this summer.
Gear Up During Sports and Play
Now is the time for enjoying baseball, soccer, swimming, tag, and more. But eye injuries from sports send thousands of kids to the ER each year. According to the AAO, more than 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. The good news? Most of these injuries can be prevented.
The answer is simple – invest in protective eye gear. Parents should look for goggles or sports glasses made with polycarbonate lenses, a tough plastic that won't crack or break when hit. A good fit cuts the chance of eye injury by more than 90%. Eyewear should also meet the ASTM safety standards for your child's sport. Make sure it fits well and feels good so that your child is more likely to wear and keep it on.
If your child is injured, be sure to get them checked out right away. Eye injuries can look small and seem insignificant but be serious. Getting eye injuries examined quickly can make a big difference in preventing permanent eye damage.
Sun's Out, Shades On
You put on sunscreen — nice work! But did you know that eyes need sun protection too?
UV rays can harm eyes at any age. And too much sun can burn the eye's surface, cause cancer, and even over time cloud the lens of the eye (called a cataract).
Here's how to keep young eyes protected:
Use protection on cloudy days too as UV rays can penetrate up to 80% of cloud cover.
Prepare for Back-to-School with Eye Exams
Don’t let vision screenings fall off your radar this summer. When kids can see well, they learn and play better!
Marking the family calendar to get your child’s eyes checked gives you time to update prescriptions, buy new glasses or goggles, and correct issues before back-to-school season. If your child fails a vision screening and is referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist, consider applying to All Children See. It’s a program of our philanthropic arm, the Children’s Eye Foundation, that matches families with no or little insurance coverage with a volunteer pediatric ophthalmologist for a no-cost eye exam.
These warm months are for making great memories. We want your family to enjoy every single one, with both eyes wide open.
Now go get some sunshine! 🌞
For more on protecting your family's eyes, contact your provider or visit AAPOS.org.