Children's Eye Health and Safety Month

August is the month to focus on children’s eye health and safety. It is important to protect our eyes every day from the sun. Fortunately, adults and children alike can easily protect their eyes by wearing the proper sunglasses and a brimmed hat.

Children are more susceptible to UV damage than adults because they tend to spend more time outside than adults. Here are some things parents can do to help protect children’s eyes.

• Only purchase sunglasses that offer UV protection.
• Make sure the sunglasses fit the child’s face and shield the eyes from all angles.
• Choose lenses that are impact resistant and made of polycarbonate, never glass, unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Always insist that children wear a brimmed hat in conjunction with their sunglasses.

Teaching children to protect their eyes is an important early step toward a lifetime of healthy vision.