How healthy are your children's eyes?

(ARA) - For children, eyes are the windows to learning, playing and growing. That's why children's eye health is just as important as an adult's eye health. As a parent, do you really know how healthy your child's eyes are?

Dr. Michael DePaolis is an editorial advisory board member of AllAboutVision.com, a Web site that offers expert-written information on a broad range of eye health issues. He offers these tips for parents to keep their children's eyes healthy today and in the future:

1. Children and sunglasses
Children's eyes need sun protection just as much as adults do and sometimes even more, since they spend more time playing outdoors and in direct sunlight throughout the year.

"Experts believe our eyes get 80 percent of their total lifetime exposure to the sun's UV rays by age 18," says DePaolis. "Excessive lifetime exposure to UV radiation has been linked to the development of cataracts and other eye problems."

Get your child a good pair of sunglasses, and insist she wear them on sunny days. Check the label on the lenses, or ask the optical professional for verification that the sunglasses feature 99 to 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays. A good pair of sunglasses also protects children from HEV rays (high-energy visible radiation), which new research shows can cause retinal damage.

2. Prevent pink eye
Pink eye is a common term for bacterial or viral conjunctivitis. Groups of children, such as at school or day care, can spread pink eye rapidly through touching and sharing items with an infected person.

"Communal settings are where pink eye can be easily spread," comments DePaolis. "Children most commonly get pink eye, and newborn babies are at risk as well. If you or your child has pink eye symptoms, visit an eye doctor to get the proper treatment."

Itching, burning, stinging, irritation, pain, grittiness, crusting or light sensitivity can indicate conjunctivitis. Left untreated, some types of bacterial infection can scar the eye's surface and lead to permanent eye damage and vision loss.

3. Regular eye exams
"Good eyesight is important for performing well in school. Scheduling regular eye exams for your children is not only a good way to check if they need glasses, but you are also being proactive in preventing other problems," says DePaolis.

A child's eyes change frequently, because vision matures as your child grows. Infants should have their first eye exam at six months of age, according to the American Optometric Association. Parents should schedule another eye exam at three years of age as well as just before kindergarten or first grade, at about age five or six. For school-aged children, the AOA recommends an eye exam every two years. Children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses should be examined annually or as recommended by their doctor.

Parents should remember that vision screenings done at school or by their pediatrician are designed to alert parents of possible vision problems only. It's important to schedule comprehensive eye exams for thorough diagnoses of vision correction and other serious problems.

Eye exams don't have to be stressful for children; many enjoy learning about the eye, and parents are almost always welcome to accompany them into the exam rooms. If you are worried, ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations of an eye doctor who specializes in children.

4. Eye protection
These days, kids are playing sports at a younger and younger age. Whether it's an organized team or just the neighborhood kids getting together at the local park, it's important to wear protective eye gear.

"Most eye injuries that happen during sports and play can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear," says DePaolis. "I would suggest taking the children with you to pick out eye protection. That way they can choose the style and color they like and will be more motivated to wear it during play."

It's not just direct eye injury that can cause damage. Head injury can affect vision as well, so be sure your child wears a good-fitting helmet when he uses a skateboard, bike or scooter, and when skiing or snowboarding.

Courtesy of ARAcontent