These tips will help you to protect your eye health and vision while still being able to rock your costume and amaze your friends and family: 

1. Read the directions carefully before applying any product to your skin and beware that many costume makeup products are not intended for use around the eyes.
2. Do not apply any makeup products or face paint directly to your eyes or the skin around your eyes— stay above your eyebrow bone and at the level of your cheek bones.
3. Avoid costume eye makeup products like stick on eyelashes and heavy paints. Instead, use your eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara that you use all year long.
4. Look for products that say “hypoallergenic” on the label to reduce your risk of an allergic reaction.
5. Test the product on a small area of your skin before using it on Halloween day to be sure that it will not cause any skin irritation.
6. Avoid eye glitter at all costs. If your costume calls for some sparkle around your eyes, opt for a shimmery eye shadow instead, as glitter can easily get into your eyes and scratch and irritate your eyes and even lead to an infection.
7. Beware of fluorescent colored makeup or additives in face paint which have not been FDA approved.
8. Never use fluorescent colored makeup near your eyes.
9. Do not share eye makeup, or use any makeup products or face paint from previous years— this can significantly increase your risk of eye infection.
10. If the product contains a strange smell, throw it out— it could be expired or contaminated.
11. Remove your makeup at the end of the night according to the instructions on the package— never sleep in face paint or makeup.

What to do in an eye emergency

If you experience any pain, redness, itchiness, or swelling after applying face paint or Halloween makeup, contact your eye doctor immediately. 

These are signs that can indicate an allergic reaction, chemical irritation, or eye infection and must be treated promptly to avoid complications.

The post How to Protect Your Eyes From Halloween Makeup appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Many people perform their daily chores without even thinking about the risk of an eye injury. Well, considering 50 percent of all eye injuries occur at home, you may want to think about increasing your eye protection around the house.

The most ordinary activities, such as cooking, cleaning, home improvement projects and yard work can cause an eye injury that may result in temporary or even permanent vision loss.

However, 78 percent of people report not wearing any type of protective eyewear while performing these tasks.

Eye doctors recommend that every household have a pair of protective eyewear that can be worn during activities that pose a risk to your eye health. These specialized glasses or goggles are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate or trivex material that is highly durable, and offers the protection you need to keep your eyes safe from injury.

If you suspect you have an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Protecting your Eyes from Blue Light

According to studies, up to 40 percent of eye injuries occur while working in the yard or performing home improvement projects.

Lawnmowers and power tools have warning signs written all over them, and for good reason. When operating this type of machinery, it is important to protect yourself from any potential hazard that could result in an injury.

Protective eyewear is one of the first things you should grab off your shelf or workbench before beginning any type of project — even if you just plan on mowing your lawn.

Blades of grass, sawdust, and other types of debris can fly through the air at a speed that can cause real damage if it hits your eye, and can even result in vision loss.

It is also important to remember to protect your eyes when handling any type of chemical or cleaning product.

While many household chores may appear innocuous, an estimated 125,000 eye injuries occur each year from toxic chemicals and cleaning products.

Many different types of eye injuries can be prevented by simply remembering to wear protective eyewear and following certain safety guidelines.

The 6 do’s and don’ts of household chores

 DO

1. DO wear safety glasses or goggles when operating any type of power tool.
2. DO remove sticks, pine cones, glass, or pieces of plastic that can fly in the air before mowing your lawn or trimming your hedges.
3. DO read instructions and warning labels on all cleaning and chemical products before use.
4. DO wear protective eyewear and gloves when handling chemical products.
5. DO wash your hands thoroughly after using any type of cleaning or chemical product.
6. DO keep a pair of safety goggles in your kitchen to protect your eyes while chopping onions, garlic, hot peppers etc.— if these vegetables can make your eyes tear without any contact, imagine what can happen if you accidentally rub your eyes while handling them?

DON’T

1. DON’T operate any type of power tool when children or unprotected bystanders are in close proximity.
2. DON’T perform any type of home improvement project or yard work without proper eye protection.
3. DON’T keep chemicals or cleaning products within a child’s reach.
4. DON’T touch your eyes or face while handling chemicals or cleaning products.
5. DON’T mix chemical products.
6. DON’T rub your eyes if your hands are dirty.

Following these safety tips can significantly reduce your chances of sustaining an eye injury at home. 

Practicing these tips consistently will not only protect your eyes and vision, but will also help you to educate your children on the importance of eye protection, even while performing day-to-day activities.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Exams

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating your eye condition.

The post Eye Protection at Home appeared first on Optometrists.org.

When purchasing toys for your children keep in mind that many toys can pose a risk of eye injury. Many of these toys are popular among children, but if mishandled, can turn a fun playdate with a friend into a trip to the emergency room.

Popular toys that can cause an eye injury

1. Guns that shoot any type of dart, pellet, balloon or even water. Most toy guns can shoot at a fast enough speed to cause real harm— even if the “missile” looks completely harmless. Toy guns, water guns and water balloon launchers can cause severe eye damage and even loss of vision.
2. Pointy objects such as swords, sabers, wands, bayonets, fishing poles, and anything else of the sort can lead to eye damage if the user is not careful. Many eye injuries occur from getting poked or scratched on the eye and can lead to serious consequences, including permanent vision loss and blindness.
3. Aerosol string contains chemicals that can cause eye irritation and even chemical conjunctivitis.
4. Bright flashlights and laser pointers contain a light intensity strong enough to cause temporary or even permanent vision loss if shined into the eye.

The most common toy-related eye injuries include:

• Corneal abrasions
• Corneal ulcers
• Traumatic cataracts
• Retinal detachment
• Internal eye bleeding

Since it may be difficult to avoid these popular toys altogether, it is important to teach your child about eye safety and instruct them how to properly play with these toys. With appropriate use, these toys can be safe and fun to play with.

An important rule to emphasize is, never point anything— a gun, pointy object, bright light, chemical spray, or any other object— in the direction of someone’s eyes.

If you suspect your child has an eye injury, contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Top 5 Pediatric Eye Emergencies

What to do if your child has injured their eye

If your child has sustained an eye injury, contact your eye doctor or primary care physician immediately.

Most doctors have emergency numbers that you can use after hours, or on weekends. If you cannot reach your doctor, go straight to the nearest emergency room.

The earlier your child is seen by a medical professional, the higher their chances will be for optimal treatment results.

What to do if a foreign object is in your child’s eye?

While it is important to contact your eye doctor if a foreign object is stuck in your child’s eye, sometimes it is possible to remove the object by yourself.

Only attempt to remove the object if you are confident that the object is easy to remove, such as an eyelash or piece of dust, and has not caused any eye damage. 

Follow these steps to safely remove the object from your child’s eye:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Locate the object.
3. Instruct your child to squeeze their eyelids shut and blink to produce tears which will flush the object out. Avoid rubbing the eyes, as it can make the problem worse.
4. If the object is behind the upper eyelid: pull their upper lid gently over their lower lid, instruct them to look upward to push the object off the upper lid.
5. If the object is under the lower lid or in the corner of their eye, use a damp soft cloth or cotton swab to gently remove it.
6. Use a cup of lukewarm water to flush the object out by slowly pouring lukewarm water into their eye and letting the water run down their face.

The eyes are extremely delicate. If you are unable to remove the object from your eye, stay calm and contact your eye doctor for emergency assistance.

Protecting children from eye injuries

Prevention is key!

It is important to educate your child about eye injury risks during playtime and the importance of being careful while playing with certain toys.

It is equally important to protect your child’s eyes with protective eyewear during certain games and activities.

By educating your child, you are empowering them with the tools they need to protect themselves when outside of your supervision.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

If you are worried your child may have have suffered an eye injury – immediately schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.

The post Eye Injuries: Are All Toys Safe for Children? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear, outermost layer of the eye that is responsible for bending light as it enters the eye, and protecting the eye from outside bacteria, viruses and germs. When the cornea suffers a scratch, this protective barrier is disrupted— placing you at an increased risk of serious corneal ulceration or infections.

Corneal scratches can range from minor to severe, and can sometimes lead to secondary problems such as a corneal ulcer or an inflammatory condition called iritis.

What is a corneal abrasion?

A corneal abrasion (or scratch) can occur from anything that comes in contact with the eye’s corneal surface — though many people are unable to determine what has caused it, as symptoms don’t always surface immediately.

The most common causes include:

• A foreign substance in the eye— sand, dirt, eyelash, etc.
• Poking the eye with a makeup brush, finger, paper, etc.
• Getting scratched in the eye by a baby or pet
• Chemicals in the eye
• Rubbing the eye vigorously
• Difficulties inserting or removing a contact lens
• Wearing damaged, dirty, or poor fitting contact lenses 
• Eye injury while playing sports 
• Moderate or severe dry eyes

Do I have a corneal abrasion?

If you think you may have scratched your cornea, contact your eye doctor as soon as possible. 

A scratched cornea typically causes the following symptoms:

• Eye pain
• Tearing
• Red eyes
• Foreign body sensation
• Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty keeping the eye open

Since the cornea is extremely sensitive, even a small scratch can cause a corneal ulcer and severe pain. 

If you feel like something is stuck in your eye, try not to rub your eye— this can make the scratch worse. Instead, blink multiple times and pull your upper lid over your lower lid in an attempt to dislodge any foreign matter.

If this doesn’t work, flush your eye with a sterile saline or contact lens solution and contact your eye doctor.

Caution: Eye doctors recommend only using a sterile solution to flush foreign matter out of your eye, as regular water and even bottled water may contain certain microorganisms that can put your eye at risk of infection— especially when the eye contains an open wound.

How is a corneal abrasion diagnosed?

It is important to seek treatment for a corneal abrasion (even a minor one) to reduce your risk of developing a corneal ulcer. 

To locate a corneal scratch, your eye doctor may numb your eye with an eye drop to keep it open during the examination.

Your doctor may also apply another type of eye drop that contains yellow dye, to highlight the scratch using a blue light and magnification.

If your eye is infected, your eye doctor may wish to swab your eye and send the culture to a lab to determine the most effective medication.

If you experience eye pain or blurry vision, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Corneal Ulcers

How is a corneal abrasion treated?

Your eye doctor may prescribe any of the following treatments, depending on the severity of the abrasion:

• Topical NSAIDs (eye drop of ointment) to reduce pain and inflammation
• Topical antibiotics (eye drop or ointment) to prevent an infection and corneal ulcer
• Non-preservative lubricating eye drops to keep your eye lubricated, hydrated and comfortable
• Oral pain reliever such as ibuprofen to alleviate discomfort
• Bandage contact lens to cover the abrasion— this can be used with prescription eye drops to provide pain relief and facilitate healing

With prompt treatment, a minor corneal abrasion should heal within a few days, without any permanent vision loss. A more severe abrasion will generally take about a week or two to heal.

If not treated properly, a corneal abrasion can lead to a corneal ulcer, which can threaten loss of vision. 

While your eye is healing, give your eyes a rest from contact lenses— this will help your cornea to heal and reduce the risk of infection. Also, it is a good idea to keep a pair of sunglasses nearby for both outdoor and indoor use, to reduce light sensitivity.

Follow up with your eye doctor to ensure that your eye is healing properly and determine when you will be ready to resume normal activities. 

Preventing corneal abrasions

Corneal abrasions are the most common eye injury in children.

However, most corneal scratches can be prevented by practicing the following eye health and safety guidelines:

• Never try to remove anything stuck in your eye.
• Always wear safety goggles when working in the yard, playing sports, and participating in any activities that require eye protection.
• Wear your contact lenses according to your eye doctor’s instructions— discard them in a timely manner, and practice contact lens hygiene.
• Treat your dry eye symptoms to ensure that your eyes remain hydrated and moist.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Corneal Conditions

If you are experiencing symptoms of a corneal abrasion, contact an eye doctor as soon as possible. 

Even a minor scratch should be examined by a doctor to prevent infection and any other vision problems that can develop from an open wound.

Early treatment can facilitate optimal healing and help to reduce the risk of permanent and sight-threatening complications.

The post What Is a Corneal Abrasion? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The pupil is the black hole in the center of the iris, the part that gives your eye its unique color.

The pupil controls the amount of light that enters the eye by widening and constricting in response to light intensity.

Occasionally, the two pupils can appear unequal in size.

In most cases, having two different pupil sizes is not a cause for concern — but in some cases, it can indicate a serious problem, requiring emergency medical attention. 

What causes unequal pupils?

Anisocoria may be diagnosed if one pupil is bigger or smaller than the other. In some cases, the pupils may continue to respond normally to light, while in other cases, their responses may differ from one another.

Caution: If you notice that your pupils suddenly become unequal in size, seek immediate medical attention as this can be a symptom of a medical condition that requires prompt treatment.

There are four main types and causes of anisocoria:

1. Simple anisocoria

Also called essential anisocoria and physiologic anisocoria, this is the most common type of anisocoria, that has been shown to affect 20 percent of people.

This is a benign condition that causes the pupils to differ in size, usually by up to one millimeter in diameter, without affecting the pupils’ response to light. This condition can be intermittent or constant, and may even go away on its own without medical intervention.

The precise cause of this type of anisocoria has yet to be discovered.

If you have different size pupils, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: What Is an Eye Stroke?

2. Pathologic anisocoria

Pathologic anisocoria develops from an underlying disease or condition, often iritis.

Iritis: is a type of uveitis, or inflammatory eye disease, caused by an eye infection, another inflammatory eye disease, or eye trauma.

Symptoms include:

• Red eyes
• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity
• Presence of inflammatory cells in the eye’s anterior chamber
• Pupil constriction of the affected eye

The anisocoria is generally treated with the treatment of the iritis. Though sometimes, the pupils may remain unequal even after the iritis has been treated.

Horner’s syndrome: is usually caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a tumor, spinal cord injury, or stroke— though sometimes, the cause is unknown.

Symptoms include:

• Miosis- constriction of one pupil
• Ptosis– drooping eyelid
• Facial anhidrosis- inability to sweat around the eye

Horner’s syndrome affects the pupils’ ability to dilate normally in low light (within five seconds) and instead generally leads to a delayed pupil response of around 10 to 20 seconds.

Adie’s tonic pupil: generally affects only one pupil, and can develop when the nerves that innervate the muscles responsible for pupil constriction, become damaged. When this occurs, the affected pupil usually does not respond to light normally.

In most cases, the cause of Adie’s tonic pupil is not understood, though it primarily affects women ages 20 to 40 years.

Third nerve palsy: The third cranial nerve (oculomotor nerve) innervates some of the muscles that control eyelid and eye movement, as well as pupil size. If this nerve becomes paralyzed from an aneurysm, brain hemorrhage, or tumor, the pupil will appear dilated at all times.

Children with third nerve palsy can develop this condition from a migraine, meningitis, or other severe infection.

Symptoms may also include:

• Ptosis (drooping eyelid)
• Outward eye turn
• Poor accommodation, or ability to shift focus

Third nerve palsy  is considered a medical emergency. If these symptoms come on suddenly, seek immediate medical attention.

3.  Mechanical anisocoria

Mechanical anisocoria can occur following a trauma to the eye that has caused damage to the iris or the structures around it.

Eye trauma can be caused by an eye injury, eye surgery complications, angle-closure glaucoma, iritis, or uveitis.

Mechanical anisocoria may also develop from an ocular tumor or congenital condition that affects the structure of the iris, such as:

• Total or partial absence of the iris (aniridia)
• Gap in the iris (coloboma)
• Pupil displacement and lens dislocation (ectopic pupil)

4. Pharmacologic anisocoria

Pharmacologic anisocoria can develop as a side effect from certain medications.

Medications that may cause this condition generally include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) used to treat depression, transdermal scopolamine patches used to treat nausea and motion sickness from chemotherapy, and certain glaucoma eye drops.

What to do if your pupils are unequal

If you notice that your pupils are not equal in size, schedule an eye exam as soon as possible to rule out any serious conditions.

Be sure to inform your doctor if you recently suffered a head or eye injury and/or if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Vision loss
• Double vision
• Eye pain
• Ptosis
• Headaches
• Neck pain

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to examine your pupils and discuss the best treatment options.

The sooner you determine the cause of anisocoria, the sooner your eye doctor can advise the most appropriate treatment plan.

The post Unequal Pupil Sizes (Anisocoria) appeared first on Optometrists.org.

A black eye is medically termed a periorbital hematoma, or a collection of blood (hematoma) located in the tissues around the eye (periorbital).

A black eye can develop after an injury to the tissues surrounding the eye, and is caused by broken and leaking blood vessels under the skin. A black eye is similar to a bruise you may get after you bang your knee or any other body part— it just looks a bit scarier.

A black eye can affect the entire eye, or be localized to the area just under the eye. The texture of the skin around the eye is both thin and loose, and therefore is quick to bruise and swell, or fill up with fluid when injured— leading to noticeable discoloration. It is often called a “shiner” because the discolored skin around the eye develops a shiny appearance.

What causes a black eye?

Most black eyes are caused by a blunt trauma to the eye, such as a punch, fall, or being slammed in the face with a ball.

However, in some cases a black eye can develop from other causes, including:

• Dental work
• Cosmetic eye surgery
• Sinus infections
• Nasal surgery
• Hidden skull fracture
• Cellulitis (infection around the eye)

Dental work

If you recently had your wisdom teeth removed or underwent dental implant surgery, you may develop one or two black eyes within the coming days. This is due to the fact that the blood and fluid from the surgery can spread underneath your facial tissue, and cause different parts of your face to swell, including the tissue under your eyes.

Hidden skull fracture

If you recently fell or hit your head, a clear sign that you have fractured your skull is the appearance of two black eyes, also referred to as “raccoon eyes”. If you have suffered a skull injury, blood can leak into the soft tissue surrounding the eyes and lead to raccoon eyes.

If you have suffered a head injury, seek immediate medical attention for prompt treatment.

Is a black eye dangerous?

While a black eye can cause significant discomfort, it is generally not dangerous to your health.

However, in some cases, bleeding can occur inside the front of the eye between the back of the cornea and front of the iris. This is called a hyphema, and can cause the pressure within your eye to rise, threatening the development of glaucoma and vision loss.

To avoid complications from a hyphema, seek emergency medical care if you notice any bleeding inside your eye.

Another condition that can occur with a black eye is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which causes the eye to appear bright red. While this may appear dangerous, it is not considered a serious condition, and will usually resolve within a few weeks without medical care.

Contact an eye doctor near you to help find the cause and treat your black eye.

SEE RELATED: Eye Injuries: Are All Toys Safe for Children?

Will a black eye heal on its own?

Yes. A black eye will generally heal on its own within a couple of weeks.

However, it is always important to see your eye doctor following an eye injury to make sure that the eye itself was not injured and the pressure within the eye has not increased.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact an eye doctor immediately:

• Bleeding inside the eye
• Bleeding from the ears or nose
• Blurry or double vision
• Vision loss
• Seeing flashes or floaters
• Persistent headache
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Severe pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Red eye, pus, or excessive swelling
• Inability to move the eye
• Two different pupil shapes

What can I do to help my eye heal?

Reduce swelling

The first thing you want to do is reduce the amount of swelling around your eye. Applying a cold compress to your eye will help to constrict the blood vessels in your delicate skin and limit the amount of swelling.

Contrary to popular belief, or what has been shown on television, putting a piece of frozen raw meat on your eye is not a safe way to reduce swelling.  Raw meat contains bacteria and can increase your chances of infection.

Instead, place a bag of frozen peas, corn, or any other frozen product that can mold to the shape of your face, on your swollen eye. Keep the ice pack on your eye for around 15 minutes at a time, every hour, for the next couple of hours.

Caution: Be sure to cover the ice pack with a thin cloth to avoid damaging your delicate skin.

You may also find that chilling a metal spoon in the refrigerator and then placing the back of the spoon on your eye is just as effective as an ice pack.

Pain relief

To alleviate the pain you may be experiencing, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as tylenol or ibuprofen.

Avoid taking aspirin because it is a blood thinner and can make your black eye worse.

Massage 

Massaging the area around your bruise, not the bruise itself, may help to increase blood flow to the tissue around your eye, and speed up the healing process.

Natural vitamins and enzymes

Studies have shown that consuming certain fruits like pineapple, that contain special enzymes may help to reduce inflammation.

Vitamin C is another natural way to heal your black eye. Vitamin C has been proven to strengthen blood vessels and reduce bruising.

Bilberry extract, a relative of blueberries and cranberries, contains antioxidants that can reduce bruising by enhancing the effects of vitamin C and further strengthen blood vessels.

As your eye heals, you may notice that the discoloration around your eye turns purple, blue, green, or even yellow. This is a sign that your eye is healing. 

Be sure to protect your eye from further injury by avoiding hazardous activities during this time.

How to prevent a black eye in the future

To prevent an eye injury that can lead to a black eye, try to protect yourself as much as possible by following these guidelines:

• Wear safety glasses when engaging in hazardous activities such as home repairs or carpentry.
• Wear protective eyewear and headgear when participating in sports activities.
• Keep toys and other objects off the floor and stairs to reduce your risk of falling.

If you have just suffered an eye injury, it is important to contact an eye doctor as soon as possible to ensure that your eye itself was not injured. 

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

If you have any questions about treating a black eye, call an eye doctor for professional medical advice. Your ocular health and vision are your eye doctor’s number one priority.

The post What to Do for a Black Eye appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Many parents share similar concerns about their child’s vision. Some of the most common worries include:

• Is their vision developing normally?
• How well can they see?
• Will the sun ruin their eyes?
• What should I do if my child has something stuck in his eye?
• Will watching TV ruin his eyes?

If you can relate to any of these concerns or have concerns of your own, read on to find out the top 8 ways to protect your child’s vision.

Follow these tips to  protect your child’s eyes and developing vision, to give them a life-time of successful achievements.

If you suspect your child has an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat the condition.

Schedule regular eye exams

Eye doctors recommend bringing your child for an eye exam from as early as six months of age. During an infant eye exam, the eye doctor will begin to track the baby’s vision development, enabling early detection of any ocular or vision anomalies. If a problem is detected, early treatment can help to stop the progression of any disorder, and ensure the most optimal results.

As your child grows older, it is important to keep up with their eye exams— they are due for a second exam when they turn three years old, and a third exam before they begin grade school. After these predetermined times, eye doctors recommend an annual exam for all children.

Keeping up with your child’s eye exams will enable your eye doctor to follow your child’s visual development at every stage, and be there for you if there are any changes along the way.

Know your family history

Many ocular conditions are passed down through the gene pool. If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with an ocular condition or vision disorder, your child is at a higher risk of developing them as well.

It is important to discuss your family history with your child’s eye doctor and keep up with their regular eye exams, or as directed by your doctor. This will ensure that any conditions that may arise will be detected and effectively managed before the condition progresses.

SEE RELATED: Protecting Your Child From Digital Eye Strain

Encourage healthy eating habits

Healthy vision development is influenced by the foods our children consume. While most children will do anything for a “special treat” that usually consists of candy, it is important to offer these treats in moderation, and really save them for those times that they are well deserved.

Additionally, in this fast paced world we live in, many parents don’t have time to cook gourmet dinners every night, and may rely on packaged foods, hot dogs, pizza, and lunch meat to satisfy their children’s bellies. While these meals may taste good, and provide a simple solution to a quick and easy dinner, they don’t contain the vitamins and nutrients that our children truly need to keep their bodies, including their eyes, healthy.

Try to incorporate as many fruits and vegetables (yes, even broccoli and cauliflower) into your child’s diet. Fruits and vegetables contain many different vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain healthy eyes and vision.

Your child may resist at first, but will soon grow to enjoy these healthy foods if they become a staple in his diet. If your child continues to refuse certain fruits or vegetables, don’t give up. You can always blend them into a soup or smoothie, or even add them to your child’s favorite pasta sauce.

Keep in mind, your child is watching you and will most of the time imitate your behavior— so set a good example and be sure to include healthy foods on your plate as well.

Spend time outdoors

Spending at least an hour outside every day is vital to your child’s health, and can even lower their risk of ocular conditions, such as myopia. Playing outdoors, or even just taking a walk, will help the muscles in their eyes to relax.

Children spend many hours of their day participating in near vision activities such as reading, using a digital device, building puzzles, and even just playing with toys. In order to see these objects clearly, our eyes must converge, and our focusing muscles are put to work.

When these near vision activities are performed for an extended period of time, the muscles in our eyes can become fatigued— just like any other muscle in the body would. For example, when you carry heavy groceries from your car into your house, many bags later, your arm muscles may need to rest.

To help the eye muscles relax, eye doctors recommend going outdoors,  as this encourages us to look at objects and images in the distance.

So take your child for a walk or encourage them to play in the sunshine.

Wear sunglasses outdoors

Wearing sunglasses will protect your child’s eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Excessive exposure to UV radiation over time, has been linked to serious ocular diseases later in life.

When purchasing a new pair of shades for your child, be sure to find lenses that contain 100% UV protection. Sunglasses for children are now available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors— and even include frames with wrap around temples to secure the frame to their face, so they don’t fall off during play.

Keep chemicals and sharp objects out of reach

Household cleaning supplies and detergents contain harmful chemicals that pose a great danger to your littles one’s health. If chemicals or toxins get splashed into your child’s eye, they can even threaten loss of vision.

Also, be sure to keep any kitchen or office supplies— anything unclean, sharp, or pointy, out of arm’s reach, and high enough that your child won’t be able to stand on a stool to grab hold of the shiny object they so desire.

Wear protective eyewear for sports 

Safety or protective eyewear for sports games and activities is essential for protection against serious eye injuries.

Eye injuries account for over 1.5 million visits to the emergency room in the United States.

Therefore, to protect your child’s eyes and vision, encourage them to wear special protective eyewear during all sports activities— you may even want to show them how many professional sports players fashion protective eyewear to protect their eyes as well.

Limit screen time

In this day and age, the amount of time children spend on computers, tablets, smartphones, and watching TV, has stirred up concern among eyecare professionals.

Prolonged screen time can be harmful for your child’s eyes, causing blurry vision, focusing problems, and may even increase their risk for developing myopia.

Limiting screen time each day, and ensuring that your child takes frequent breaks while using any type of digital device, will help to protect your child’s vision. Taking frequent breaks is also important when participating in any other kind of near-vision activity, such as reading, writing, or drawing.

Protecting your child’s eyes will decrease their risk of developing serious eye conditions that can threaten their vision.

When following this guide, keep in mind that setting a good example for your child is a critical part of a successful plan. Therefore, take the time to incorporate these tips into your life, to care for your own ocular health as well…your child will be watching you.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating your child’s eye condition.

The post 8 Tips to Protect Your Child’s Vision appeared first on Optometrists.org.

An eye emergency is any situation that poses a threat to a child’s eye health or vision.

• Eye injuries account for over 1.5 million visits each year to the emergency room.
• Children, from infancy to age 17, represent over 340,000 (22%) of all hospital admissions as a result of an eye injury.

An eye injury can be very painful and require emergency medical treatment.  Contact your eye doctor or general physician immediately if your child experiences trauma to the eye or any of the listed signs below.

Common eye injuries that require immediate medical attention

• Eye swelling or bruising around the eye can result from an eye infection, trauma to the eye, or significant allergic reactions. While you should immediately place an ice pack on your child’s eye, you must also contact your eye doctor to examine the nature of any damage to the eye.
• Inflammation of the iris (traumatic iritis) can result from being hit in the eye, and can result in permanent vision loss.
• Bleeding inside the eye (hyphema) in the space between the cornea and iris can result from an orbital blowout fracture, when there is a break in the facial bones around the eye—  caused by a blow to the eye and face, such as from being punched, kicked, or hit by sports equipment.
• Deep puncture wounds can result from a foreign object that has penetrated the eye, such as a piece of glass or metal.  Any pieces of a foreign object must be removed from your child’s eye to prevent serious eye damage and vision problems.
• Corneal abrasions (eye scratches) can result from rubbing the eye while something is stuck inside, scratching the eye while inserting/removing a contact lens, or simply being poked in the eye. Bacteria and fungus can enter the eye through a scratch, especially if the object that caused the scratch was unclean, making the eye more susceptible to an infection. While a minor scratch might not seem to need immediate medical care, a visit to the eye doctor is still important to prevent an eye infection.
• Corneal lacerations are a partial or complete cut through the cornea. Lacerations can result from rubbing your eye too hard, wearing old contact lenses, flying objects that strike the eye such as wood or metal, or even from a paper cut to the eye if enough force is used. Immediate medical attention is required and treatment usually involves surgery to remove any foreign objects.
• Chemical substance burns can cause mild to severe problems, depending on the type of chemical. Acid chemicals can cause significant burning and redness. Alkali chemicals such as oven and toilet cleaners, can cause more serious damage, including blindness. Any chemical that splashes into the eyes needs immediate medical care to prevent loss of vision.

Common signs of eye emergencies

If you notice ANY of these signs, please seek EMERGENCY medical attention:

• Sudden vision changes, in one or both eyes
• Appearance of blood on or inside the eye
• Burning sensation around the eye
• Foreign object stuck in the eye
• Pain
• Double vision
• Seeing flashes of light
• New sensitivity to light
• Sudden changes in pupil size
• Floaters
• Dark shadows blocking vision

Bleeding on the surface of the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhages) can occur when a blood vessel breaks and leaks fluid. The blood vessel, which is located between the white of the eye (sclera) and it’s clear covering (conjunctiva), causes either part of the eye, or the entire eye to look red.

While this appears very serious, it is fairly common, and does not cause any pain or damage to the eye. The eye will typically return to a normal appearance over the course of several weeks, without any treatment.

Caution: Do not self-diagnose— any time blood is noticed on the eye, seek urgent medical attention.

Causes of eye injuries

Children are vulnerable to eye injuries because they are involved in active play and sports on a regular basis— and most of the time, lack the essential awareness for injury prevention.

Most eye injuries in children are are caused by:

• Rough play
• Head collisions
• Contact sports
• Ball games
• Projectiles
• Fireworks
• Sharp points
• Aerosols
• Hot water burns
• Household chemicals
• Accidents with tools or office supplies

Contact an eye doctor immediately if your child experiences trauma to the eye or any of the listed signs above.

SEE RELATED: Top 5 Pediatric Eye Emergencies

Are all toys safe for children?

No.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2017, toy related injuries to the head, face, and eyes, caused up to 252,000 visits to the emergency room:

• 69% were children ages 12 and under
• 36% were children under five

Common toy-related eye injuries:

• Corneal abrasions
• Corneal ulcers
• Traumatic cataracts
• Retinal detachment
• Internal eye bleeding

While a corneal abrasion can be a minor scratch to the eye, it can also be severe. The other common injuries can cause significant vision problems, even total loss of vision.

Which toys are dangerous?

1. Guns that shoot any type of projectile, dart or “missile” are popular toys, but buyers beware! Even if the gun shoots water or a soft foamy dart, most toy guns can shoot at a fast enough speed to cause real harm— even with water or a piece of foam.
2. Sharp pointed objects such as sticks, swords, sabers, wands, bayonets, fishing poles, etc. Even if made of soft material, any sharp point can still cause an eye injury.
3. Aerosols contain chemicals that can cause irritation to the eye and even chemical burns! This “toy” can also scratch the eye and cause eye infections.
4. Bright flashlights and laser pointers contain a high light intensity that when used inappropriately, is dangerous enough to cause temporary or even permanent vision loss!

How can you protect your child from an eye injury?

Many childhood eye emergencies can be prevented with appropriate care and planning.

Consider these few basic rules to help lower your child’s risk of an eye injury:

• Educate children about eye injury risks at school, home, and during play.
• Place any household chemicals and dangerous items such as scissors, staples, push pins, etc. out of your child’s reach.
• Recognize that the kitchen is a dangerous place for children— keep all dangerous objects such as hot water, knives, electrical appliances, heavy pots , etc. out of your child’s reach.
• Supervise your child whenever possible and teach them the importance of wearing protective eyewear during certain activities.
• Inform older children about risky behaviors such as tobacco use and playing with fireworks.

Preventing eye injuries during sports

Sports and leisure activities are the most common cause of pediatric eye injuries.

Less than 15 percent of children wear any form of eye protection when participating in activities that can cause eye injuries.

Most sports-related eye injuries can be prevented through the use of protective eyewear such as sports goggles, wrap-around polycarbonate lenses, or side shields.

You may have seen basketball players wearing these types of frames. Protective eyewear can be purchased with prescription lenses so children can see clearly while playing their favorite sport, without the risk of getting injured.

Protective eyewear is essential for all sports such as hockey, basketball, football, soccer, baseball, tennis, and any other sport where the athlete is in motion. Regular eyeglass frames will not provide enough protection and can easily be damaged.

What should you do in an eye emergency?

Contact an eye doctor or family physician immediately.

Most doctors have emergency numbers that you can use after hours, or on weekends. If you cannot reach your doctor, go straight to the nearest emergency room.

The earlier your child is seen by a medical professional, the higher their chances will be for optimal treatment results.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Pediatric Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating your child’s eye condition.

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