How to Help Your Children Fully Develop Their Eyesight

One thing parents can all agree on is that they want to give their children the very best start in life that they can. There are lots of ways to do this, from education to spending quality time together, but one of the most important factors to think about is their health.

When it comes to health there always seem to be so many areas to think about, but one that sometimes gets overlooked is eyesight. Understanding and addressing any problems with vision is vital for children to safely explore the world and connect with others. So here are five things you can do to set your kids on the path to 20/20 vision.

Make time for outdoor activities

A whole host of studies have shown that spending time outdoors in the sunshine is a very effective way to help stave off myopia, or near-sightedness, in children. Plus it has the additional benefit of giving them more fresh air and increased physical activity, so this is a real win-win. Just be sure they wear a pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV rays!

Avoid digital eye strain

These days we are all well aware of the potential negative effects too much screen time can have on our eyes. Luckily clinics such as Park Slope Eye have a number of helpful suggestions for counteracting digital eye strain. For example, use large screens and keep them at least an arm’s length away, try utilizing the ‘dark mode’ or ‘night mode’ on apps and encourage kids to take regular breaks from looking at their computer or phone.

Focus on nutrition

We all know that what we put into our bodies has a profound effect on our health and it is no different when it comes to our eyes. By feeding your children a diet rich in dark leafy greens and other vegetables, citrus fruits and berries, fish, plus nuts and seeds, you can boost their levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids and lutein – all of which are essential for keeping their peepers in top condition.

Take them for regular eye exams

Even if your kids are not showing any signs of eyesight problems, it is still a good idea to take them for an eye exam every couple of years. Not only does an eye exam test a number of different aspects of their eyesight – including focus, clarity, depth perception and peripheral vision – it also checks for warning signs of potentially damaging diseases. These are easy to miss, but important to catch quickly in order to treat successfully.

Use toys and activities

There are certain types of toys and games that can be helpful in promoting a child’s visual acuity and eyesight development, particularly when they are young. These include but are not limited to books, arts and crafts, puzzles, sorting games, brightly colored toys, and building toys like LEGO. There are even specific, easy exercises you can do together to help strengthen their (and your!) eye muscles, relieve eye strain and improve eyesight.