children’s eye health and safety month

Last week, in honor of Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month, we discussed vision problems in children. This week, we are going to address the other aspect of this month: safety and eye protection.

“One pair, no spare,” says pediatric ophthalmologist John Avallone, MD.

You only have one set of eyes. It is important to take care of them starting at a young age. So make sure your kids use great care, practice prevention, and wear activity-appropriate eyewear – such as goggles, facemasks, glasses, sunglasses, etc. – in all sporting activities.

Pediatric Eye Injury Facts and Statistics

Approximately 33% of the estimated 2.4 million eye injuries that occur annually in the United States are in people age 17 and younger.
Eyes can be damaged by sun exposure, not just chemicals, dust or objects.
44.7% of all eye injuries occur in the home.
13% of all eye injuries are sports related.
Between the ages of five and 14, most sports-related injuries in the U.S. occur while playing baseball.
Every year, around 11,000 eye injuries sustained by children are caused by toys or home playground equipment
More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented with protective eyewear.

In the Event of a Pediatric Eye Injury you should…

If your child sustains an eye injury, you should contact your ophthalmologist as soon as possible, even if the injury seems minor. Serious injuries are not always immediately obvious and delaying medical attention could result in permanent vision loss or even blindness. So it is better to be safe than sorry.

Administering First Aid while waiting for Medical Help

Gently cover a cut or puncture wound.
DO NOT apply pressure, touch, or rub the eye.
DO NOT apply any sort of medication.
If an object is stuck in the eye, DO NOT attempts to remove it.
Flush the eye with water ONLY in the event of chemical exposure.

To learn more about Children’s Eye Protection and Eye Injuries, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.
Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:
Children’s Eye Injuries: Prevention and Care

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), 1 in 4 school children have vision problems. And with the new school year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to have your child’s eyes examined. This is why the Prevent Blindness America Association has named August Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

Children’s Eye Health Checklist

Because children do not know what normal vision looks like, they are often unable to articulate the problem to their teachers or parents. This is why the American Optometric Association has compiled a list of warning signs to help detect potential eye problems in children. These warning signs include:

Sitting close to the TV
Squinting
Holding reading materials close to the face
Tilting their head
Rubbing the eyes frequently
Turning of an eye in or out
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination
Avoiding coloring activities, puzzles and other detailed activities

If you notice your child displaying any of the above warning signs of vision problems, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist – at your earliest convenience. The early detection and treatment of vision problems is the best way to help preserve your child’s sight. This is why regular checkups with eye doctor are so important.

In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend the following exams:

Newborn: It is recommended that all newborns undergo a red reflex test, which is a basic indicator that a baby’s eyes are normal.
Infant: A second vision screening is recommended between six months and one year old.
Preschooler: It is recommended to have a child’s eye alignment and visual acuity tested between the ages of 3 and 4.
School age: It is important to have a child’s vision tested upon entering school or whenever a vision problem is suspected.

Eye exams for children are important for normal vision development and academic achievement, as vision is closely linked to the learning process.

To learn more about Children’s Eye Health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

August Awareness: Children’s Eye Health & Safety Awareness