网曝门事件

Eye doctors recommend that children have their first eye exam at age 6 months. If you鈥檝e missed that milestone, however, it鈥檚 not too late to have your child鈥檚 vision checked. 网曝门事件 Health providers share tips for ensuring your little one develops healthy vision. 

Early intervention  

鈥淚t鈥檚 important not to delay comprehensive eye exams, performed by an optometrist, because some early eye problems can affect vision for life,鈥� says , an optometrist at 网曝门事件 Health Clear Lake. 鈥淔inding a problem early can鈥痥eep a minor issue from becoming something bigger.鈥� 

Left undiagnosed, conditions or abnormalities can lead to vision loss. However, it鈥檚 possible to reverse some problems if they鈥檙e identified early, says , an optometrist at 网曝门事件 Health Clear Lake. 

鈥淎 classic example is鈥痩azy eye. Kids with this condition have one鈥痚ye that is weaker than the other,鈥� Dr. Hileman says. 鈥淭his typically responds well to treatment, which can include use of an eye patch, eyedrops or glasses.鈥� 

For children who don鈥檛 have risk factors or evident eye problems, Dr. Boyd recommends a comprehensive eye exam by age 1, again around age 3 and right before starting school at age 5 or 6. 

What to watch for 

Vision issues are not always obvious, especially in children who have a hard time communicating what鈥檚 wrong. If you notice that your child has delayed motor development, makes minimal eye contact, rubs or blinks eyes excessively, or does not like having one eye covered more than the other, visit an optometrist or ask your child鈥檚 pediatrician for a referral.  

4 ways to encourage healthy eye development 

1. Boost visual engagement from a young age. Playing games such as peekaboo and patty-cake can help stimulate hand-eye coordination for babies. 
2. Offer a well-rounded diet. Nutrients such as zinc, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C and E have been found to be beneficial for eye health. Try incorporating more fish, leafy greens and eggs into your child鈥檚 diet. 
3. Limit the use of screens. Continuously viewing digital screens can cause eyestrain. Put a cap on your child鈥檚 screen use, such as one hour per day, and encourage them to take a break every 20 minutes to rest their eyes. 
4. Don鈥檛 skip eye exams. If you or your pediatrician suspects that your child has a vision problem, make an appointment with an eye doctor for additional screening.