08/26/2025
August is a special time set aside for the well-being of our little ones' eyes. The observance focuses on educating citizens about children's eye health and safety. We encourage parents, caregivers, and educators to prioritize regular eye exams for children, promote eye safety practices, and provide the necessary support to ensure healthy vision development.
The Importance of Annual Eye Exams for Children
Your kids’ bodies are still growing and changing every year, including their vision. While they may seem to have excellent 20/20 eyesight, this can change gradually over time. Undetected and untreated vision problems can lead to conditions such as lazy eye or even crossed eyes, both of which are often far more difficult to address than the initial issues causing them.
Some of the most common pediatric eye conditions include:
• Astigmatism
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Ptosis (droopy eyelids)
• Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
• Styes
• Chalazions
• Pediatric glaucoma
• Pediatric cataracts
• Double vision
• Nystagmus
• Epiphora (excessive tearing)
• Blocked tear ducts
Children are also susceptible to genetic eye conditions, which may not always be apparent at birth. Scheduling annual eye exams for your kids is the most effective way to catch common, and not-so-common, vision issues before they grow worse.
Preventing Eye Injuries in Children
Pediatric eye health doesn’t begin and end with annual appointments. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmologists, about 90% of eye injuries can be prevented through the use of proper protective eyewear and similar measures. We highly recommend that parents model safe behavior and take extra safety precautions around the house to ensure the protection of their childrens’ eyes. Parents are, in many ways, the first line of defense against eye injuries.
We greatly advise developing the following habits to keep your kids’ eyes safe:
• Hold sharp objects, such as scissors, screwdrivers, digging implements, etc., away from the face both when in and not in use
• Properly use common home items such as paper clips, rubber bands, safety pins, and other objects in ways that won’t put the eyes at risk
• Lock kitchen knives away in their drawers
• Store cleaning chemicals and similar hazards in locked, hard-to-reach cupboards
• Store glassware, ceramics, and other breakables away from small, curious hands
• Store guns—including those for paintballs, pellets, and BBs—in their lockers unloaded and separate from their respective ammo
• Wear protective eyewear when doing yard work, performing repairs around the home, using power tools, woodworking, swimming, or playing sports
• Wear sunglasses outdoors to prevent UV damage
• Wear seatbelts in the car, and properly securing any small children who may not yet have the skills to properly secure themselves
• Wear protective eyewear during science experiments, both in and out of the classroom
• Only pet domestic animals with permission from the owners, who know whether or not their pets may bite or scratch a child
• Purchase age-appropriate toys without sharp edges or accessories
• Pad sharp corners on furniture
• Set up gates at the top and bottom of any staircases
• Take regular breaks when using computer, TV, and smartphone screens for long stretches of time in order to prevent straining
• Refrain from using explosives such as firecrackers or cherry bombs without professional supervision
• Check public parks and playgrounds for any potential eye hazards before allowing play
Consult with your child’s pediatrician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist for more information about kid-friendly eye safety and health solutions.
