Five Steps To Protecting Your Child’s Vision (NAPSA)—Did you know that 80 percent of what we learn comes through our eyes? Good eyesight is essential for a child’s development, and poor vision can lead to a variety of serious problems—from learning disabilities to behaviorissues. Your eyes are the windows to our fascinating world, so it is criti- cal to take care of them during every stage of life. Studies show, however, that few parents realize professional recommendationscall for a child’s first eye exam at the age of six months, with complete exams at ages 3, 5 and every two years thereafter. Eye Exams Children should receive an eye exam by an eye doctor who can detect vision problems and underlying eye-related health concerns. Vision Service Plan (VSP) offers a nationwide network of highly trained eye doctors whoare skilled at working with the youngest of patients. To find a doctor near you, visit WWw.Vsp.com. Between appointments, here are tips to help protect your child’s eyes: Playing Safe Children often wear protective pads when playing sports, butlittle emphasis is placed on protecting the eyes. Children are especially at risk for sports-related injuries—in fact, more than 41 percent ofall such injuries take place among athletes younger than 15. To avoid eye injuries, athletes should wear protective polycarbonate eye- glasses with a one-piece frame. Food for the Eyes Certain foods help keep eyes in their prime, so load up on fruits and vegetables, which havelots of vitamins. Whole grains are rich in vitamins and minerals. Omega-3 fats in fish and zinc in meats, seafood, milk and other dairy Regular eye exams help you keep an eye on your child’s vision. products are all believed to be nourishing for the eyes. Sunscreen for the Eyes Sunglasses do more than just make you look cool. They provide vital protection year-round, shielding the eyes from harmful ultravio- let (UV) rays. When shopping for a pair of shades, select glasses with shatterproof lenses that carry a UV protection sticker. Also, make sure the eyewear extends out to the sides to block peripheral UV rays. Monitor Computer Eyestrain There’s little doubt computers are second nature to children and teenagers, but excessive use can lead to computer vision syndrome (CVS), which causes blurred vision and sore, dry eyes. To help prevent CVS, VSP recommendsthat parents limit their child’s time on the computer to 30 minutes per day for children under 10 and no more than two hours per day for children ages 10 to 15, use an antiglare filter, and position the computer screen 24 inches from the child’s face and at an angle, so the youngsteris looking downslightly. By following these five easy steps, starting with regular eye exams, you will provide your child with healthy eyes for life. To learn more about protecting your child’s vision, visit the VSP Website at WWw.vVsp.com.
