Category: Your Child’s Eyes

Prevent Toy Related Eye Injuries

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I borrowed the contents of this article from All About Vision.

Eye Safety during the Holidays

5 Toys to Avoid

  • “Fishing” Games. The end of a toy fishing pole or objects secured to the end of the fishing line can easily end up in a playmate’s eye.
  • Guns that shoot ANYTHING. You might think toy guns that shoot lightweight cushy foam balls or rubber bands pose little or no risk, but even these projectiles move at speeds fast enough to cause an eye abrasion.
  • Toy wand, swords or sabers of any kind. There’s really no need to explain why these are a bad idea, right?
  • Water balloon launchers and water guns. Water balloons can cause serious blunt trauma to the eye and permanent vision loss. Even toy guns that shoot a stream of water can cause serious eye damage.
  • Oversized foam hands and fists. Fashioned to simulate cartoon characters like the Incredible Hulk, these toys are an eye injury waiting to happen – for anyone nearby!

It’s usually best to shop for children’t toys in a store rather than online, so you can see the toy’s features up close to help you decide if it’s safe enough for a young child.

And don’t rely on age recommendations printed on the packaging. Manufacturers don’t always use common sense when they decide what’s suitable for young children.

First Exam for Infants

Karen Griffith

The first year of life is one of the most critical stages in childhood development. From the moment a baby opens it’s eyes, newborns undergo dramatic physical and mental changes.Acuity Testing Infants
During the first 12 months, infants should have a comprehensive vision assessment to determine proper development and identify any health problems. Early detection and treatment of potential problems are vital to a child’s development . For information about how Dr. Griffith examines babies click here.
One in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems, yet only 13 percent of mothers with children younger than 2 years of age said they had taken their babies to see an eye doctor for an examination. Early intervention is critical to successful and cost-effective treatment. Unfortunately, during the course of their young lives, most children probably never have an eye examination.
Please take advantage of the InfantSee program. Dr. Griffith fully supports this American Optometric Association program designed to examine all infants between 6-12 months. There is no cost or qualification required. Call the office (707)762-8643, and ask for an InfantSee exam for your infant.

Glasses before Medications

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High, undiagnosed hyperopia (far-sightedness) can cause children to display symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD, including difficulty concentrating and problems with reading. Before any child is prescribed medication for ADD or ADHD, a thorough eye examination is vital. Vision  Screenings done at the pediatricians or by a school nurse often miss hyperopia. Most children with hyperopia can see in the distance fine, but have difficulty focusing on objects close to them. It’s scary to think about how many kids are taking medications just because they’re farsighted.

Schedule an eye examination!

Back-to-School

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Computers and smartboards are common in today’s classrooms. As electronic devices transition between home and school, it’s clear that the use of these technologies is evolving from a trend to a necessity, even among the youngest students.

According to a study by the American Optometric Association (AOA), 41% of children have their own smartphone or tablet and 32 percent use both eBooks and textbooks at school. Additionally, 66 percent of children use a computer or tablet to do homework or study. With the consistent use of electronic devices throughout the day and evening, children of all ages can face a number of visual challenges.

Ongoing use of electronic devices won’t damage vision, but regular, lengthy use of technology at school or for homework can lead to a temporary vision condition called computer vision syndrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS can include eye strain, headaches, fatigue, burning or tired eyes, loss of focus, blurred vision, double vision or head and neck pain. The doctors at Westside Optometry recommend that students  rest their eyes by following the 20-20-20 rule. When using electronic devices or doing near work, take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away.

One in four children have an undiagnosed vision problem simply because they may not recognize that their eyesight isn’t optimal or is changing. Comprehensive eye exams are one of the most important investments a parent can make to help maximize their child’s education and contribute to overall health and well-being, especially since some vision problems may not have warning signs. Unfortunately, parents often assume that if a child passes a school screening, their vision is fine.

Below are some symptoms that can indicate a child has a vision problem:

  • Squints while reading or watching television
  • Turns or tilts head or covers an eye
  • Consistently performs below potential or struggles to complete homework
  • Has behavioral problems

Call Westside Optometry (707)762-8643 to schedule an eye exam for your child.

The Benefits of Protecting Young Eyes from the Sun

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Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from direct sunlight and reflected sunlight. The direct exposure is more intense at higher altitudes and between 9 and 3 during the summer. Reflected light accounts for 50% of UV radiation and is most intense from snow, water and sand.
Children’s eyes are particularly susceptible to damage from sun:

  • Children spend more time outdoors. In fact they receive 80% of their lifetime UV exposure before the age of 20 years.
  • More UV radiation is transmitted through the young crystalline lens to the retina. The tissues are clear and don’t block as much light.
  • Babiators

Most children don’t experience photophobia or sensitivity to light. Wearing sunglasses needs to be a habit just like riding in a car seat or wearing a bike helmet. Children don’t want to wear a helmet, but it is required, just as sunglasses should be required.  The use of good UV blocking sunglasses prevents cumulative damage  to the eyes.

Sun Protection

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It is important to protect our eyes from the sun. Excessive Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can do significant damage to bodily tissues, including the eyes. Proper protection of the eyes includes a combination of reducing exposures, using caps and visors with a wide brim, in addition to ophthalmic protection (sunglasses and/or UV blocking contact lenses).

Only 6% of Americans know they need sun protection for their eyes. Fortunately, 73% of adults wear sunglasses. What about the kids? Less than 44% of children wear sunglasses. It is more important for children to wear sunglasses than adults. Here are 13 reasons why children should wear sunglasses:

  1. The lens of the child’s eye transmits about 70% more UV than the adult eye, putting their retina at a larger risk.
  2. The cells of the lens of the eye are never replaced; the proteins of the lens are never replenished. The lens cannot repair itself;  Sunglasses in the Pooldamage accumulates over a lifetime causing cataracts and other eye conditions.
  3. Kids under 10 are at a higher risk for both skin and eye damage, because their skin and eyes are more fragile.
  4. Children are outdoors much more than adults, therefore it is likely that over 1/2 of their life exposure to the sun will occur within the first 20 years of their life.
  5. Very bright sunlight – reflected off sand, snow, water  or the pavement – can cause immediate damage to the cornea.
  6. Kids look up more, which means they are constantly looking into the sun.
  7. It is up to adults to train their children about the damage sun can do. Like wearing seat-belts and bike helmets; children can be taught about sunglasses, but only if they have them.
  8. Children will not recognize the injury or damage of a sunburn on the eye like they do with a sunburn of the skin.
  9. The long-term effects of sunburned eyes are cumulative and not completely reversible. The development of  cataract, pterygium and macular degeneration begin with childhood UV exposure.
  10. Hats only protect from above, not below, where reflected UV from water, sand or concrete can do a lot of damage.
  11. With ozone depletion our children are at greater risk of UV exposure than we were growing up.
  12. The variety of sunglasses for kids make them easy and comfortable to wear. Quality sunglasses provide 100% UV protection. Westside Optometry carries Babiators sunglasses for infants and children.
  13. Sunglasses are cool.

Play Safe

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Westside Optometry is a Sports Eye Injury Prevention Center. We have added a complete collection of sports frames in all sizes, styles and colors. Nearly all sports related eye injuries are preventable.
If your child wears prescription glasses, what does she do with them before Soccer Goggle Girlwalking out onto the soccer field? Take them off so they don’t get broken. Now she can’t see to play her best. I bet she has a pair of cleats, shin guards… Doesn’t a pair of sports goggles sound like a good idea?

F8 Rec SpecsChildren between 5 and 14 are at most risk for eye injuries playing baseball and softball. Basketball represents the greatest risk for eye injury for older children.

Come by to see the options.

Contacts and Children

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In a series of rigorous clinical trials over several years, investigators have been researching the feasibility, risks and benefits of contact lens wear in children.
The most recent data is from the Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE). The ACHIEVE study looked at whether contact lenses affect how children feel about themselves. The children (between 8 and 11 years old) in the contact lens group felt significantly better about themselves compared to the eyeglass wearers in three specific areas: athletic competence, social acceptance and physical appearance.
This doesn’t mean that children actually performed better after they began wearing contact lenses; rather, it means they felt more competent and confident about their performance in those areas. But perception can become reality. According to Mitchell Prinstein, professor and director of clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina, “Children’s sense of self-concept can alter their whole course of development,” he says. “Kids who feel more confident about sports or social activities are more likely to engage in those experiences, which further builds their skills and makes them more open to similar experiences in the future.”

Not all children are ready for the responsibility of contact lens wear at 8 years old, but we at Westside Optometry have seen children that young succeed with the handling, and care of contact lenses. To see a comparison of contacts and glasses, click here.

It’s Baseball Season

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Baseball is the leading cause of eye injury in players 14 and under. Players are contending with a high-speed projectile (the ball) and swinging bats. Due to the velocity of the ball or bat, nothing can guarantee complete injury protection, but sports protective eyewear can greatly lessen the risk of serious injury.

The number of kids playing organized sports is on the rise and so is the number of sports-related injuries. What many players, parents and coaches do not realize is  that the majority of injuries occur during practice and not during games, making it crucial that kids wear protective equipment for practices and games. More than 90% of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of appropriate protective eyewear.

If your child plays a sport that requires a helmet or faceguard, don’t make the mistake of thinking he or she is protected from eye injuries. The eyes are still exposed to danger from sports equipment or an opponent’s fingers penetrating the openings of a facemask. Likewise, if your child wears glasses, everyday fashion eyewear is not held to the same protective standards as regulation eyewear products labeled as protective eyewear for sports use. The lens in you child’s regular eyeglasses could easily pop out and puncture or cut the eye. A frame mangled from impact could also injure the eyes and ocular region of the face.

Make the decision to add protective sport goggles to the equipment bag. Many eye injuries are caused by blunt trauma, such as from a ball, stick or elbow. A pair of sport goggles, equipped with polycarbonate lenses, can be sight savers since they help keep the eyes and the surrounding ocular region safe. At Westside Optometry we have all sizes and colors of sports goggles. We can also put prescription lenses into them.