Developing Good Eyesight in Kids
By: Brian HarmonTotal Views: 41, Word Count: 460,
Parents perform the main role while developing good eyesight in kids. The vision centre in children’s brain is constantly developing, throughout the first seven years of your child’s life. If parents leave a suspected eye problem without treatment and do not see a specialist, there is a risk of their child developing permanent damage which, in some instances, can lead to blindness.
It is a difference between ‘eyesight’ and ‘vision’. Eyesight is the capability to ‘see’ that most children are born with. Vision is the capability to organize, understand and interpret what is seen. Vision is developed and learned like walking. Your children need both; not only good eyesight, but also good vision in order to be outstanding readers.
Don’t think that 20/20 eyesight signifies that your children see the paper page or computer screen the similar way you do. 20/20 is a distance sight display and simply means that your children can see a certain size letter from 20 feet away. It is not at all related to reading at near point. Have each of your children read out loud to you often to assure that what they see on the printed page and computer screen is the same thing you are seeing.
The American Optometric Association suggests a broad vision screening by age 6 months, at 3 years and then again at age 5. This is a total must for early revealing and prevention of eye troubles that affect reading radically. Ask for both near- and far-point screening as well as an education related screening. Look for a developmental or behavioral optometrist in your area who has specialization in these screenings.
Tips on Developing Good Eyesight in Kids
- Restrict the computer use for all your children, especially for those less than three years of age.
- Children under three have to be trained through their whole bodies. Too much time on the computer restricts the development abilities they need to master at this time: crawling, talking, walking, spatial awareness, focusing, tracking, etc.
- Take regular breaks from the computer for each 45 minutes of use. Older children must take a break from the computer for 20 minutes, whereas younger children should take a take a 10-minute break about every half an hour.
- Go with your children on the ground or at the park and have them play catch, ride a bike and partake in games. This builds up crucial reading abilities such as tracking, minor vision, focusing, eye teaming, eye-hand management and also improves near and far-point vision.
Check that their head is not too close to the screen. This will show if an eye exam is needed.
About the Author
Brian Harmon is a General Health Practitioner. He has an MD degree and has worked in different Medical Clinics of Texas for 25 long years
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