They say that the eyes are the mirror of the soul and the most important sense. Did you know that children get 80% of their knowledge and learning with their own eyes? Good eyesight is required for reading, writing, drawing, computer use, as well as in all other school activities. Without good eyesight, children may have difficulty performing even the simplest of tasks and may lag behind in development. Although summer is a time away from school, caring for your child’s eye health should not lag behind. Going on a family vacation, swimming in the pools, enjoying the sunny sea beaches, and simply enjoying the summer means spending a long time under the open sky and strong sun. All this increases the exposure of the eyes and the skin around the eyes to UV rays. You will certainly not allow your child to play outside all afternoon without first applying protective sunscreen!!! But are you taking the same precautions to protect their eyes? Here are some tips to help protect your children’s eyes in the summer:
  • Buy sunglasses that protect from UV rays!
  • Our eyes are just as sensitive to the sun’s rays as our skin. Studies have shown that children’s sunglasses emit up to 70% more UV rays than adult sunglasses. When buying glasses for your child, look for glasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. The glasses should be large enough to cover the eyes and the skin around them, at the same time to be durable and resistant to shocks.
  • Wear a hat whenever you are out!
  • Sunglasses are great, but for complete sun protection it is best to combine glasses with a hat. Nowadays there are hats that provide 100% protection from UV.
  • Prefer shade whenever possible!
  • Always look for shade, especially between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun is shining brightest.
  • Prefer swimming goggles when in the pool!
  • Swimming is a favorite summer activity and should certainly be encouraged. However, chlorine used in swimming pools can cause eye irritation. Insufficiently chlorinated pools are a potential source of infection.
  • Enjoy the summer, the sun, the sea, sports, enjoy life and keep your eyes open!