•Dr Priscilia Imade
The focus of this week’s December Eye Care Series will be on children.
During the holiday season, you spend more time with your child at home. This makes December a very good time to pay attention to your child’s eyes and vision.
Many eye problems in children can be prevented or corrected early when you notice them on time. Pay attention to the following areas:
1. TOY-RELATED EYE INJURIES
During the holidays, you often buy toys and games for your child. Some toys can easily cause eye injuries. Sharp edges, pointed objects, toy guns, water guns, and fireworks are common causes of eye injuries in children.
You should always check toys before giving them to your child. Avoid toys with sharp tips or strong projectiles. Teach your child not to aim toys at the face or eyes of others. Supervise play, especially with younger children, to reduce the risk of eye injury.
2. SCREEN TIME LIMITS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
During the holidays, children spend more time watching television, playing video games, or using phones and tablets. Too much screen use can cause eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes.
You should set clear screen time limits for your child. Encourage regular breaks during screen use. Make sure your child looks away from the screen every few minutes and rests the eyes. Balance screen time with other activities such as reading, drawing, or outdoor play.
3. OUTDOOR PLAY AND ULTRAVIOLET SAFETY
Outdoor play is good for your child’s overall health and eye development. However, too much exposure to sunlight can harm the eyes.
When your child plays outside, especially during sunny periods, you should protect the eyes from strong sunlight. Use wide brim hats and good quality sunglasses that protect against ultraviolet rays. Encourage your child to play in shaded areas when possible, especially in the afternoon when the sun is stronger.
4. EARLY SIGNS YOU SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR
You should observe your child closely during the holidays. Early signs of eye problems may include frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting too close to the television, complaints of headache, redness of the eyes, tearing, or difficulty reading.
If you notice that your child avoids reading, struggles to see distant objects, or tilts the head often, it may be a sign of a vision problem. Do not ignore these signs.
5. WHY AN EYE TEST FOR CHILDREN IS IMPORTANT THIS TIME
The holiday period is a good time to take your child for an eye test because there is less school pressure. An eye test can detect vision problems early, even when your child does not complain.
Early detection helps prevent learning difficulties and poor academic performance.
Some eye conditions in children do not show obvious symptoms, so an eye test is the only way to find them on time.
6. EYE FRIENDLY FOODS FOR CHILDREN
What your child eats affects eye health. You should include eye friendly foods in your child’s meals during the holidays.
Foods such as carrots, oranges, mangoes, green leafy vegetables, eggs, fish, and nuts support good vision. These foods contain vitamins and nutrients that help the eyes grow strong and healthy.
Encourage your child to drink enough water to keep the eyes well hydrated.
Finally, during the holiday season, you have a great opportunity to protect your child’s eyes. By choosing safe toys, limiting screen time, encouraging outdoor play with proper sun protection, and watching for early signs of eye problems, you help your child maintain good vision.
Taking your child for an eye test and providing healthy foods will support long term eye health.
Good vision is a gift you can give your child this December and beyond.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
