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August Is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. It’s a time where we focus on eye-related concerns that impact children and highlight the importance of eye exams for kids of all ages.  

During Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, our goal is to spread awareness about vision issues in children. Without clear vision, children often struggle to learn and play, both safely and effectively. Not only can this increase the odds of injuries, but it can also lead to social and educational issues. By making eye care a priority, many of the problems can be corrected if not fully avoided.  

If you would like to learn more about eye health and safety for children, including why regular appointments with their eye doctor are essential and warning signs of potential issues, here’s what you need to know.  

The Importance of Children’s Eye Health and Safety  

Overall, as many as one-in-20 preschool-age children have a visual impairment. This can include a variety of conditions, ranging from strabismus to refractive errors to amblyopia. Additionally, one in four school-age children has undetected vision issues. Considering that 80 percent of learning is visual, a notable number of children are struggling in the classroom due to eye issues.  

Regretfully, more than 50 percent of parents do not bring their children in for eye exams. Unfortunately, that means many kids are who have a vision or eye-health-related problems don’t receive a diagnosis until the issue has been in place for some time.  

While many parents may assume that they would notice vision problems in their children, that isn’t always the case. That’s why exams are so vital, as they ensure your child’s eyes are healthy and that they can see clearly, allowing them to learn (and play) with ease.  

Warning Signs of Vision Issues in Children  

While some warning signs of vision issues in children are hard to spot, others may be noticeable to parents. Some of the most common ones include:  

  • Eye rubbing  
  • Closing one eye to read or watch television  
  • Excessive tearing  
  • Light sensitivity  
  • Wandering eyes  

As we’ve discussed previously, there are also many hidden signs of vision problems in children that aren’t as easy to spot. By learning about those, you can further watch out for the health and safety of your child’s eyes and vision, ensuring they receive care when they need it most.  

How to Celebrate Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month  

If your child hasn’t had an eye exam recently, now is a perfect time. Celebrate Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month by scheduling an appointment to get their vision checked, ensuring they can see clearly and that their eyes are healthy.  

At ECVA, we take the safety and health of our patients’ eyes seriously, regardless of their age. If your child has symptoms of vision issues or simply hasn’t had an exam recently, our team is here for you. So take a moment and schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.  

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Common Eye Problems in Summer

During the summer months, most people focus on enjoying the warmer weather, planning vacations, and other fun events, not the eye problems they may encounter during the season. In reality, summer can have an impact on your eyes, and certain issues can be surprisingly common.  

If you want to find out more about eye problems many people face in the summer and what to do about them, here’s what you need to know.  

Corneal Burns  

When people think of sunburns, they usually focus on the skin. However, harmful UV rays can also lead to corneal burns, a condition with symptoms like blurry vision, dryness, and a gritty feeling in the eye.  

In most cases, the easiest way to protect yourself against corneal burns is to wear sunglasses. Just make sure to pick a pair that offers full-spectrum UV protection.  

Dry Eye  

During the summer, higher temperatures, fans, and air conditioning can all increase the occurrence of dry eye. In addition, if you live in a more arid climate, the lack of humidity can also be a compounding factor, increasing your chances of experiencing dry eye.  

In most cases, dry eye is noticeably uncomfortable. You may experience a gritty or stinging sensation, as well as experience redness, sensitivity to light, and more.  

If you’re experiencing dry eye, make an effort to stay hydrated and consider using lubricating drops. Drinking more water can make a difference, while the drops provide quick relief.  

Tired Eyes  

If your summer is especially busy, you may experience more eye tiredness than usual. For many people, enjoying the season can mean missing out on critical sleep, something that can leave your eyes irritated and fatigued.  

For tired eyes, your best bet is to give your eyes a break by getting enough sleep. Also, avoid using digital devices, as those can make the situation worse, not better.  

Allergies  

While many people assume that eye allergies are only a major issue in the spring, they are still prevalent in the summer. Certain plant pollens, seeds, and mold types are more common later into the warmer months.  

Eye allergies can be incredibly uncomfortable. Some symptoms may include itching, burning, and dryness.  

If you have eye allergies, try to reduce your exposure. Wear sunglasses, wash your face as soon as you come indoors, and even change clothing. Also, many over-the-counter and prescription allergy treatments can provide relief, so they can be worth exploring.  

Infection  

Eye infections can happen at any time of the year. Plus, you may participate in activities that can increase your risk, such as swimming in a public pool that isn’t properly treated or a nearby lake that may host to a range of bacteria.  

If you want to reduce your odds of infection, wear goggles while swimming. Additionally, rinse off after swimming, ensuring contaminants don’t remain on your skin.  

At ECVA, we take the safety and health of our patients’ eyes seriously. If you have a summer eye health concern or haven’t had an eye exam recently, we are here to help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.