MADISON, Wis. – As families prepare for the back-to-school season, UW Health Kids reminds parents to prioritize vision care for kids.
The goal of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, observed each August, is to emphasize the critical role eye health plays in children’s overall success in the coming school year. Early detection and treatment of eye conditions can have lifelong benefits for children’s vision and development, according to Dr. Yasmin Bradfield, pediatric ophthalmologist, UW Health Kids.
“A child’s brain is developing vision from birth up to the age of 6,” said Bradfield, who is also a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. “It is crucial to catch any eye problems at a young age and treat them so that kids can have good vision throughout their lives.”
Good vision is essential for learning and development, according to Bradfield. Children with untreated vision issues may struggle with reading, attention and classroom performance.
Common conditions like eye misalignment or amblyopia, both commonly called lazy eye, or the need for glasses can often be detected during eye screening. Vision screenings should be done during a child’s visit with their pediatrician or primary care provider. For children younger than 2 years old, a photo screening or camera test can detect early issues. If concerns arise, children can be referred to pediatric ophthalmologists or pediatric optometrists for additional testing and treatment.
“Parents and teachers should watch for signs such as squinting, eye crossing or complaints of blurry vision,” she said. “These are all warning signs that a child may need an eye exam.”
In the digital age, students are engaging with screens in the classroom and at home. This increased screen time, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a rise in nearsightedness and eye strain among children. Bradfield advised following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. She also recommends putting away all screens two hours before bed to support healthy sleep.
As student athletes begin practicing for fall sports, eye safety is also top of mind. Athletic glasses with polycarbonate lenses, which are shatter-resistant, should be considered, according to Bradfield.
“We see too many preventable sports-related eye injuries,” she said. “Children who play sports, especially contact sports, and do not wear eye protection risk permanent vision loss if they are struck in the eye.”
Outdoor physical activities provide significant health benefits to children including for their vision. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce the risk of developing and progression of nearsightedness, according to Bradfield.
“We are still learning why sunlight has a protective effect, but even one hour a day outside can make a difference,” she said. “There is plenty of good weather left in Wisconsin this year, and we should all enjoy the benefits of sunlight.”
