Sunlight exposure and childrens eyes

Protecting toddlers from the sun requires a little more thought and effort. Children under the age 10 are at high risk for skin and eye damage from UVR. The skin on their eyes is more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin and until about age 10, the lens of a child’s eye is clear, allowing greater solar penetration and thus greater UVR- induced ocular changes.

Retinal exposure to UVR is associated with cataracts and macular degeneration, both causes of vision impairment. UVR damage builds over time, so the sooner you start protecting your children’s eyes from the sun, the lower their risk will be of ever developing eye problems.

Children’s Lenses

While children under 6 months old should never be exposed to the sun, once they reach 6 months, they should wear glasses outside. If they require prescription glasses, they should get them which means children should be exposed to more eye exams to watch out for any emerging eye problems. Find glasses that block 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Buy ones that indicate the percentage of UVR protection they provide. The more skin covered, the better, look for large, wraparound styles.

Look for playground-proof lenses. Kids run, trip, fall and bounce off objects at alarming speed. Their sunglasses should match this active lifestyle. Find impact-resistant, scratch-proof lenses that don’t pop out of the frames. Avoid glass lenses, unless recommended by a doctor, plastic is always safer. Frames should be flexible and unbreakable, and also make sure the glasses fit snugly, close to the face.

Ways to protect children’s eyes

Rest the eyes– taking regular breaks after an interval of reading, writing, or playing on the computer is good eye care for kids. Time spent on electronic devices such as tablets, mobile phones, or handheld devices should be minimized.

Nutrition: Intake of fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish contributes not only to the health of the child’s eyes but also to the entire body, which improves their welfare. Eating vegetables and fruits that are high in lutein and zeaxanthin has been found to protect the eyes from free radical damage. These nutrients can be found in kale, collard greens, spinach, brussels sprout, egg yolks, corn, avocado, pistachios, etc. Eating fatty fish like salmon, herring, and tuna is also beneficial to the development of the eyes.

Increase playtime outdoors– studies have shown that outdoor activities delay the development of myopia. Therefore, incorporating more time outdoors with your child is beneficial. Being outdoors also helps your child to get accustomed to the sun and promotes physical fitness.

However, do remember to avoid the harshest weather conditions of the day and be sure to combat your child in protective gear appropriate to the day’s weather conditions, before heading out.

Most importantly, schedule regular eye checkups for your child. Good vision is key to a child’s physical development, success in school, and overall well-being. The earlier an eye problem is detected, the sooner appropriate treatment can be recommended to ensure successful vision correction and life-long benefits.