August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Early care for your children’s eyes helps to reduce serious problems in the future. Children should have their eyes check once a year so set a date that is easily remember, such as the weeks leading up to school.

What can you do between visits? Here is a list of signs to watch for provided by Ophthalmology Times: 

What do your child's eyes look like?

• Eyes don't line up; one eye appears crossed or looks outward;
• Eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted, or swollen; or
• Eyes are watery or red (inflamed).

How does your child act?

• Rubs eyes frequently;
• Closes or covers one eye;
• Tilts head or thrusts head forward;
• Has trouble reading or doing other close-up work, or holds objects close to eyes to see;
• Blinks more than usual or seems cranky when doing close-up work; or
• Squints eyes or frowns.

What does your child say?

• “My eyes are itchy,” “My eyes are burning,” “My eyes feel scratchy,” or “I can't see very well;”
• After doing close-up work, your child says, “I feel dizzy,” “I have a headache,” or “I feel sick/nauseous;” or
• “Everything looks blurry,” or “I see double.”

 

Also, make sure you always have your child wear safety glasses if there is a danger to their eyes.