August is Children's Eye Health Month

August is Children's Eye Health Month, a great reminder that healthy vision plays a major role in a child's learning, development, and everyday safety. However, many vision problems can go unnoticed because kids often assume everyone sees the world the same way they do. Here are some reasons to pay attention to your child’s eyes and ways to keep them healthy:

Eye Health Matters for Children

• Learning Starts with Vision: A child's learning in the classroom and at home is very dependent on clear eyesight.

• Signs Can Be Easy to Miss: Pay attention for squinting, headaches, and sitting close to screens.

• Early Detection Matters: Catching problems before they get worse can help get kids on track and avoid unnecessary struggles.

How to Keep Children's Eyes Healthy

• Schedule Vision Screenings: Screenings by professionals can help identify concerns early.

• Healthy Habits Help: Outdoor play, screen breaks, and eye protection (sunglasses, goggles, etc.) support long-term vision health.

• Serve Eye-Healthy Foods: Serve foods like salmon, eggs, carrots, spinach, strawberries, peppers, and nuts (rich in vitamins A, C, E, and omega-3s).

• Practice Good Eye Hygiene: Remind children to avoid rubbing their eyes and wash hands often.