Adults know that the eyes are one of the most sensitive and complex organs in the human body and that they must be protected, but children and adolescents, due to their immaturity, take longer to understand the need to take care of their health in general and visual hygiene in particular. The result? It is up to parents, guardians, doctors, ophthalmologists and optometrists to instill the best tips at an early age, so that the little ones end up following the recommendations spontaneously for the rest of their lives.
WHAT IS VISUAL HYGIENE?
Visual hygiene is a set of very easy-to-follow rules that aim to control factors that can have a harmful effect on vision.
HOW IMPORTANT IS VISUAL HYGIENE?
All of it! The saying goes that “you can only twist cucumbers when they’re young” and the truth is that adopting eye hygiene care from an early age can prevent some problems, particularly those that arise from new visual habits , such as the heavy use of computers and smartphones. The consequences of these new behaviors can be negative for children’s vision, but fortunately, they can also be minimized with some eye hygiene tips.
VISUAL HYGIENE TIPS FOR THE LITTLE ONES
Even though children are already used to washing their faces first thing in the morning, they also need to take care of their eyes . This means washing them thoroughly with cold running water, including their eyelids, eyebrows and eyelashes. These daily hygiene habits will help prevent or reduce the severity of some eye-related diseases, such as eye allergies, blepharitis or conjunctivitis.
It is very important to explain to children that they should avoid rubbing their eyes , especially if their hands are dirty. Such gestures can cause micro-injuries to the eyes, causing irritation and inflammation, such as conjunctivitis.
From around the age of one year onwards, it is important for children to visit a paediatric optometrist regularly, so that any visual problems can be detected early. This tip is particularly important for children or adolescents with a family history of eye problems, who should have more detailed and regular examinations.
Even the youngest children already show signs and symptoms typical of minor eye problems, such as secretion production, constant tearing, redness and blurred vision. In any of these cases, a visit to the pediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist is recommended .
How many children and teenagers don't like wearing glasses even though they see better with them? That's why parents and educators should encourage their use, not as an obligation, but as a benefit, showing all the advantages of glasses and, if possible, investing in modern and colorful frames, especially since there are more and more options for glasses for children on the market. It's very important that the child likes the frames, so they will use them with much more pleasure! And once the habit has become ingrained, it's important that the little ones learn how to properly clean their glasses and store them in the appropriate case to avoid damaging the lenses or the frames.
Visual ergonomics is essential to ensure eye health and should be implemented at home, with small details and in a very simple way to avoid or minimize the appearance of symptoms such as eye fatigue, headaches and muscle pain associated with poor posture. In this sense, the best conditions should be provided in a study or leisure environment: invest in good lighting, encourage an adequate position between the table, chair and the child's height, check that the computer monitor is not facing places with strong light and pay attention to the distance at which the child is from books and screens (do not let them get too close to the eyes).
There's no denying it! Nowadays, children and teenagers spend less time in outdoor activities and more time in front of screens and monitors. For this reason, it is important to control the hours they use electronic devices and the distance they are from the screens , as direct and prolonged contact can cause eye irritation, dryness and visual fatigue.
It is equally important to prevent children from watching television too close to their eyes to preserve their visual health , as this can lead to ametropia and cause complaints such as headaches. It is also important to adjust the brightness of the television according to the ambient light and it is recommended to take breaks during use.
In fact, for the sake of eye health, there is nothing like avoiding confined spaces and encouraging outdoor play, but be careful! On sunny days, extra care should be taken, because ultraviolet radiation can cause harmful effects to children's eyes (teenagers and adults, too). In this sense, it is recommended that children wear sunglasses with UV protection.
Good eye hygiene also involves a healthy diet that benefits all organs, including the eyes. Foods rich in lutein (spinach, kale, corn, egg yolk), omega-3 (fish) and sources of vitamin C (citrus fruits) are particularly important for optimizing vision. In addition, children will enjoy seeing colorful dishes and will ingest the nutrients necessary for their health and well-being!