Children look forward to summer! This is the season for outdoor sports, swimming, vacations and lots of sun fun. These kinds of activities are essential to a child’s development and are happy-making, but on hot days, with more sunlight exposure, they can have an impact on children’s eyes. While many parents diligently care for their child’s skin in summer, they tend to overlook the fact that the eyes require special care as well.
As per Dr Anuradha Chandra, children’s eyes were more sensitive than those of adults. If you don’t take care of your eyes, you may develop eye issues because of too much sun exposure, dust, chlorine from swimming pools, dehydration and too much screen time over the holidays. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that parents can follow to keep their child’s eyes healthy and vision intact during the summer.
Why Summer Can Affect Children’s Eyes
Children tend to be more outside during vacation. They face intense exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, dry air, dust, air pollution and pool chemicals. Children’s eyes are in a developmental stage and are more susceptible to environmental damage.
Some common eye issues in children that occur during the summer are:
- Eye redness
- Dry and itchy eyes
- Eye allergies
- There is irritation from chlorine water.
- Eye infections
- Photosensitivity (inability to tolerate bright sunlight)
- Eye strain caused by overuse of electronics.
Prevention is always better than a cure. Parents need to be aware of their child’s eye habits, and if they experience any eye discomfort or vision problems, this should be taken seriously.
Wear Sunglasses in the Summer
A simple measure to help keep children’s eyes safe is for them to put on their sunglasses outdoors. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation may cause damage to the eyes over time and can lead to future eye complications.
Dr Anuradha Chandra recommends that parents select sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection. Sunglasses that are large or wrap around the face are more effective.
While it’s likely your kid will start to be reluctant to wear sunscreen, your parents can help persuade them by letting them pick out the shades they prefer that are both cool and comfortable.
Promote hat or cap wearing
Wide-brimmed hats/pans offer additional protection from the direct sun. They limit the intensity of light that reflects into the eyes and prevent excess light.
This is a common practice that can help keep outside activities safer and more comfortable, particularly during the hottest part of the day.
Keep Children Hydrated
Dehydration in the summer can have an impact on the health of your eyes. Lack of sufficient water may cause dryness and irritation in the eyes. Ensure that children drink sufficient water during the day, particularly after outdoor playtime. Other fruits, such as watermelon, cucumber, orange and muskmelon can also contribute to hydration. Good hydration helps to maintain comfortable eyes and adequate tear production.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Fingers are often unwashed, and children put them in their eyes after playing in the outdoors. This makes them more susceptible to infections and allergies.
Parents need to educate children to:
- Wash their hands regularly
- Do not rub their eyes
- Use clean towels and handkerchiefs
- Do not share towels, eye drops, etc., with others.
Eye infections are a big concern in summer, and good hygiene practices are a key factor in prevention.
Protect Eyes While Swimming
Swimming is a popular summertime activity enjoyed by children. But chlorine in pools can burn or irritate the eyes and cause the skin to become red.
Dr Anuradha Chandra says that swimming goggles are a great idea because chemicals and germs are present in the swimming pool, and they can harm the eyes. Goggles can also help protect from waterborne infections.
Once children have swum, rinse them off with clean water to get rid of any chlorine or saltwater from their eyes. Parents should seek advice from an eye specialist if the child complains of a persistent redness, pain or watering after swimming.
Keep screen time to a minimum during holidays.
Many people tend to increase screen time during the summer months when they are on vacation. Kids might be found spending hours watching cartoons, playing games or using the mobile phone or tablet.
Excessive screen time can cause:
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sleep disturbances
Parents need to promote outdoor play, reading, creative activities and built-in screen time limits.
The 20-20-20 rule can help reduce digital eye strain:
Have the child focus on an object that is 20 feet away, at least for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
Know the Signs of Eye Problems in Kids
It is important for parents to never dismiss eye discomfort and vision problems. Observation is critical as children may not be able to articulate their issues on a regular basis.
Some signs of warning are:
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Squinting
- Redness
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Complaints of blurred vision
- Having trouble reading or watching TV on the screen
When these symptoms last longer, it’s time to visit a professional eye exam.
Offer Eye-Friendly Foods to Them in Their Diet
Good nutrition is key to healthy vision. During the summer, fresh fruits and vegetables can easily become a part of a child’s diet.
Omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods such as: Omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods:
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Mangoes
- Papaya
- Tomatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Citrus fruits
- Nuts and seeds
They are rich in antioxidants, zinc, vitamins A, C and E, which help keep your vision and the rest of your eyes in good working order.
Avoid Exposure to Dust and Pollution
Allergies and irritation can result from the outdoor activities and summer wind that expose children to dust and/or pollution.
To minimise exposure, parents can:
- When it is dusty, keep windows closed.
- Cleaning the child’s face after outdoor activities.
- Wearing protective eyewear as necessary.
- Keep out of the sun during high pollution times.
There are simple precautions that can be taken to avoid discomfort and allergies.
Have regular eye check-ups
Even if a child does not complain of any vision problems, regular eye checkups are crucial. Timely detection of refractive errors or eye diseases can avoid subsequent troubles.
Regular eye examinations enable us to monitor a child’s visual development and ensure eyes are healthy in each stage of development, says Dr Anuradha Chandra.
Parents should be particularly mindful of an eye exam before the start of the new school year.
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Final Thoughts
The summer should be enjoyed, and children deserve to enjoy all the fun and excitement it has to offer with good eyes. Adopting a few simple eye care routines, like wearing sunglasses, drinking water, limiting screen time, keeping your eyes clean and keeping them covered while swimming, can help parents avoid many eye problems during the summer.
