Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, a vital time to raise awareness about protecting kids’ vision and establishing healthy eye care habits early in life. Whether your child is just learning to read or getting ready for a new school year, ensuring their eyes are in good shape is key to their overall well-being and success.

Why Eye Health Is Crucial for Kids

Vision plays a fundamental role in a child’s development—about 80% of what children learn comes through their eyes. From recognizing letters and numbers to participating in sports and social activities, healthy eyes help them engage with the world confidently and effectively.

Unfortunately, many eye problems go undetected in children. According to the American Optometric Association, 1 in 4 school-aged children has an undiagnosed vision problem.

Common Eye Issues in Children

Here are a few common eye conditions that can affect kids:

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Reduced vision in one eye, often undetected without a screening.

• Strabismus (Crossed Eyes): When eyes don’t align properly, it can affect depth perception.

• Refractive Errors: These include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which can blur vision and cause headaches or difficulty focusing.

• Eye Injuries: Sports, playgrounds, and even at-home activities can pose risks for eye injuries.

Tips to Keep Your Child’s Eyes Healthy and Safe

Here are some practical ways to protect your child’s vision year-round:

1. Schedule Regular Eye Exams

Start with a comprehensive eye exam before your child enters school—and keep it up annually.

Vision screenings at school or the pediatrician’s office aren’t enough to catch all issues.

2. Look for Signs of Vision Problems

Watch for symptoms like squinting, sitting too close to screens, frequent eye rubbing, or complaints of headaches and blurred vision. These could indicate an issue needing attention.

3. Encourage Eye-Friendly Habits

Teach your child the “20-20-20 rule”: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to prevent digital eye strain.

4. Use Protective Eyewear

Make sure your child wears proper eye protection during sports, science experiments, and other high-risk activities. Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant and highly recommended.

5. Limit Screen Time

Too much screen time can lead to eye fatigue, dryness, and even long-term vision issues. Set healthy limits and encourage outdoor play, which supports overall eye health.

6. Feed Their Eyes

Foods rich in vitamin A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, support eye development. Think carrots, leafy greens, eggs, and fish like salmon.

Back-to-School = Back-to-Eye-Check

As the new school year approaches, August is the perfect time to get your child’s vision checked. A child who can’t see the whiteboard or read a book comfortably might struggle academically or behaviorally—not because they’re not trying, but because they simply can’t see well.

Final Thoughts

Healthy eyes are essential for happy, thriving kids. This Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, take a moment to schedule an eye exam, talk to your child about eye safety, and build habits that will protect their vision for years to come.

See the difference early care can make—because your child’s future is worth it.