Is your child suffering from undetected vision problems? Early detection is the key to better eyesight!

According to experts, one in ten children will experience early childhood with an untreated visual issue that may impair learning and behavior. Thus, each kid requires a comprehensive eye exam. A school vision screening, a nurse assessment, or a screening by a pediatrician are all important, but they can’t take the place of a comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor.

A child with poor vision may have any of the following health problems:

• Frequent blinking
• Eye rubbing
• Headaches
• Dual perception
• Clumsiness or poor hand-eye coordination

Vision problems could lead to problems in school or with behavior, such as:

• Hyperactivity
• Inattentiveness
• Reduced school performance
• Poor reading comprehension

Common kid’s eye problems that can be corrected with glasses:

• Amblyopia 
• Nearsightedness
• Astigmatism
• Farsightedness

Tips for Keeping Your Child Healthy Eyes:

1. Eat healthy food and drink a lot of water.

Healthy eyes go hand in hand with a healthy diet. Encourage your child to eat healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Give them leafy vegetables that are high in vitamin A first. Eggs also have a lot of nutrients, like vitamin A, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, which are all beneficial for eye health.

Hydration is essential for healthy eyes and a healthy body, so ensure your child drinks plenty of water.

2. Protect your eyes.

Physical activity is fun and good for your health, but make sure your child wears the proper eye protection, like safety goggles, when they play sports or do other things that could hurt their eyes. When doing sports like riding a bike, putting on a helmet protects you from concussions, which can cause vision problems that last for a long time.

Furthermore, give your child a hat and good sunglasses that block UV rays to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Staring directly at the sun or the rays of light that bounce off the water and snow can cause retinal burns and long-term damage.

3. Let Your Eyes Rest

Eye strain can happen if you stare at the school board and books all day, then play video games or watch TV in the evening. Reduce time spent on tablets, phones, and other gadgets. Ensure your child gets enough sleep so their eyes can get some rest. 

4. Spend less time on electronic devices

We all spend a lot of time using digital devices and staring at screens. People’s eyes have to focus for long periods when they play video games, watch videos on their phones, or play computer games. These can cause digital eye strain, headaches, and even dry eyes.

Try to encourage your child to engage in other activities, such as sports, to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of a screen. And when they are using digital devices or screens for long periods, teach them to take frequent breaks and give their eyes a rest by looking away every few minutes.

5. Have their eyes checked often. Sometimes a child’s vision changes without noticeable warning. Poor vision can affect behavior and attention if it is not treated.

Getting a regular eye exam is very important because it can detect eye conditions early and make it much more likely that your eyes will stay healthy in the long run. People who wear glasses or contacts should check to see if their eyesight has changed and update their prescription at least once a year.

Schedule your child’s eye exam with us! Our knowledgeable and caring optometrists are experts in dealing with kids of all ages and making them feel secure and at ease during the exam. Dr. Jeffrey Porter and Dr. Will Watson are eye doctors in Crystal Lake, Harvard, Woodstock, Illinois and other nearby areas.

Call us:

Walmart Vision Center Crystal Lake, IL

815-477-4053

Walmart Vision Center Harvard, IL

815-943-4331

Click here to check accepted insurance at the Walmart Vision Center.