Ten Habits for Healthy Eye Care for Children
Photo Credits to Nabihah Plaatjes
World Sight Day, usually observed on the second Thursday of October every year, raises awareness about vision impairment and blindness.
It highlights the importance of eye health and encourages people to get regular eye check-ups. Raising awareness for World Sight Day also aims to promote the right to sight for everyone.
"Eyecare for children should be available, affordable and accessible."
Here are some steps you can take to show your child how important our eyes are and how we can keep them healthy:
- Schedule an Eye Exam: Ensure your child has a comprehensive eye exam to assess their vision and overall eye health
- Educate about Eye Health: Teach your child the importance of good eye health, including how to protect their eyes from strain and injury
- Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in Vitamins A, C, and E, which are beneficial for eye health
- Limit Screen Time: Set limits on screen time to reduce digital eye strain. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes have them look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Encourage Outdoor Activities: Promote outdoor play to reduce the risk of myopia (near-sightedness)
- Provide UV Protection: Ensure your child wears sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays when outdoors
- Create a Bright Reading Environment: Ensure proper lighting for reading and homework to reduce eye strain
- Discuss Eye Safety: Talk about the importance of wearing protective eyewear during sports and other activities that could lead to eye injury
- Be a Role Model for Good Habits: Set a good example by taking care of your own eye health and visiting the optometrist regularly
- Participate in Awareness Campaigns: Get involved in local events or activities promoting eye health and share information about World Sight Day with friends and family
Genetics may play a part in our sight, but it is up to us to look after our health and that includes our eye health. Taking these steps could show your child how to safeguard their vision and promote overall eye health.
If you are in the Johannesburg area, we (my son and I) recommend visiting the Optometrist and Contact Lens Practitioner at the Sunninghill Medical Centre - Shireen Abubaker Desai - on the corner of Maxwell Drive and Edison Crescent, Sunninghill
Nabihah Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com. She is an Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Change Agent, Published Contributing Author, Journalist, Marketing and Social Media Specialist, a Bachelor of Arts graduate, and has been writing since the age of 9. Nabihah has recently been elected as the CEO of the Independent Media Association of South Africa. Nabihah is passionate about Brand Awareness and Brand Loyalty and uses her knowledge in these fields together with her copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills to bring brands to life. iloveza.com is a primary example of how she can build your brand. Find her at: Instagram: @nabihah_dp / @ilovezacom Twitter: @nabihahd / @ilovezacom Facebook: iloveza.com LinkedIn: Nabihah Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com E-mail: nabihah@iloveza.com
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