Protect Your Kids’ Eyes from the Sun, Stress
August 11, 2015
August is Children’s Eye Safety Month, and as kids go back to school the optometrists at the Midwestern University Eye Institute remind you that it is important to make sure that children take care of their vision while sharpening their minds.
The most obvious place to start is protecting eyes from the sun. Many people understand that the sun can really damage your skin, and as a result they wear lots of sunscreen and protective clothing during the summer. But many neglect to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Sunglasses or prescription transition lenses should be worn outdoors to block ultraviolet rays to the eye and surrounding skin. The American Optometric Association recommends selecting high-quality sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays and are dark enough to screen out light. Even babies and young children can wear sunglasses with straps.
Kids also need to know about the dangers of eye stress, particularly when studying. Studying in well-lit areas and regular rest breaks help reduce the risk of stress on the eyes and eye muscles by giving them a chance to relax. Proper eye protection when handling chemicals and tools in class is also essential.
