Protect Your Child’s Eyes From Sun And Injury, Say Experts

Increased sports activity and exposure to ultraviolet rays means an increased risk to your child’s eyes, say experts at The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

New research shows that children’s eyes can be damaged from sun exposure like their skin. This damage may lead to increased risk of developing diseases including cataracts or macular degeneration as adults.

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Dr. Mark Borchert, a pediatric ophthalmologist and the director of The Vision Center, says the lens of a child allows 70% more UV rays to reach the delicate retina than in an adult.

Many parents are unaware of the critical need to protect their children’s eyes from UV exposure. “If it is bright enough outdoors for you to be wearing sunglasses, your child should also be wearing them,” he says.

The Vision Center recommends these eye safety suggestions for children:

1. Make sure your kids wear sunglasses — especially younger children.
“Almost half the entire time we spend outdoors in our lives occurs
before 12-years of age. Sunglasses for children may be purchased
inexpensively at many retail and online outlets but make sure the
sunglasses you purchase are rated to block both UVA and UVB radiation.
All sunglasses block UVB, but some do not block UVA rays. Look for
glasses with a polycarbonate lens; children under six may need a pair
with Velcro straps to keep them in place.”

2. Wear protective eye gear for ball sports. “Every year, some 18,000
sports-related eye injuries are seen in US hospital emergency rooms in
this country. While helmets are required for many organized sports
like baseball, goggles or face guards usually are not. The American
Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that children wear polycarbonate
goggles for baseball, basketball and racket sports, including tennis.”

3. If sand gets in your child’s eyes, don’t let him rub it. “If a child
gets sand blown or thrown into his eyes, an adult should immediately
take him to a sink with running water. Do not allow him to rub his
eyes; this can cause damage to the cornea (outer layer of the eye).
Pour water over the eyes to remove sand particles. Encourage blinking
and do not discourage crying, since tears remove eye irritants. If
these steps don’t work, seek medical attention.”

4. Check the chlorine level in your pool. “If a swimming pool has too
little chlorine, it can allow bacteria to grow, which can lead to eye
infections. On the flip side, if a pool has too much chlorine, it can
react with the water in the eye causing a mild acid-burn which is the
source of the stinging and redness. Another option is to have children
wear a pair of goggles that will keep pool water from entering the eye.”

Image courtesy of www.freephoto1.com

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