How good is your knowledge of children’s vision issues? From pink eye to learning disabilities, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. This back-to-school season, the American Academy of Ophthalmology shares some top eye health tips and facts for parents and teachers to keep in mind year-round.
“There’s so much misinformation out there that it’s hard to sift through it all on your own. We’re putting out this guide to help parents, teachers and school nurses educate themselves on forgotten or misunderstood parts of children’s eye health so that you don’t have to do it all alone,” said Rupa K. Wong, MD, pediatric ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Antibiotics are ineffective against most types of pink eye.
If a child shows signs of conjunctivitis, or pink eye, don’t rush to get a prescription for antibiotics. Most cases of pink eye are caused by a virus, and antibiotics don’t kill viruses. Viral pink eye usually resolves on its own within 7 to 14 days. See an ophthalmologist to rule out a more serious eye problem if you experience the following: pain or trouble seeing, sensitivity to regular indoor lighting, more than a week of eye redness and discharge, fever, achiness, or other signs of a serious infection. Antibiotics may help bacterial pink eye clear up faster, but most types of pink eye will eventually resolve without antibiotics. If you have bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, stay home, wash your hands frequently, use a separate towel and pillow, and avoid contact with other people. Do not return to school until your eyes are no longer red with discharge. Find the best home remedies here, along with a few you should never try.
Child athletes suffer eye injuries just like the pros. Wear protective eyewear.
Just ask Angellia Lilomaiava, who suffered a retinal detachment during a high school basketball game. Eye injuries can happen in almost any sport, but some sports are higher risk than others. One study found that basketball was the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the United States, followed by baseball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball, and hockey. The good news is that most serious eye injuries can be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear. Keeping fingernails short and clean is another good way to avoid eye injuries on the basketball court.
Vision problems aren’t always obvious
Kids can’t always tell if they are having trouble seeing, so if a child shows one of these subtle signs, they may be experiencing a vision problem.
- Short attention span. Your child might seem to quickly lose interest in games, projects, or other lengthy activities.
- Losing their place when reading. As your child reads (aloud or silently), they may have difficulty seeing to keep track of where they are on the page.
- Avoiding reading and other close activities. Your child may avoid reading, drawing, playing games, or doing other projects that need up-close focus.
- Head tilting or covering one eye. A child may turn their head to the side when looking at something in front of them. This may be a sign of a refractive error, including astigmatism, or another eye problem. Turning their head helps the child see better.
Learning disabilities are not vision problems, but vision problems can be misdiagnosed as learning disabilities.
Learning disabilities are caused by problems with how the brain processes what it sees or hears, not by poor vision or crossed eyes. However, children suspected of having a learning disability should see an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam because they could also have a treatable vision problem that is contributing to their reading or learning problems. If a child is avoiding reading or rushing through assignments, they may simply have a problem focusing their eyes. A complete eye exam can help identify the problem. Avoid unproven and alternative treatments such as behavioral vision therapy, eye muscle exercises (except for the treatment of convergence insufficiency), and tinted glasses or overlays. Controlled clinical trials have failed to show that these treatments help.
Sunlight is the best prescription for slowing nearsightedness
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is on the rise in children. It’s unclear why, but the combination of increased screen time and less time outdoors may put children at higher risk for developing myopia. Sunlight is a deceptively simple response, but studies show it can help slow myopia. Children should spend about two hours daily in natural light. Before you shoo them outside, don’t forget UV protection. Always check for a 100% UV-blocking label on sunglasses and encourage children to wear them whenever they’re outside, even on cloudy days.
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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate and support research to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.
