Children’s Eyes

Signs of Possible Eye Trouble

If one or more of these signs appear, your child should see an eye doctor without delay.

Appearance

Crossed or misaligned eyes
Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen eyelids
Inflamed or watery eyes
Recurring sties (infections) on eyelids
Presence of white pupil in color photo

Behavior

Rubs eyes excessively
Shuts or covers one eye
Tilts head or thrusts head forward
Has difficulty with reading or other close-up work
Blinks more than usual or is irritable when doing close-up work
Is unable to see distant things clearly
Squints eyelids together or frowns

Complaints

Eyes itch, burn or feel scratchy
Cannot see well
Dizziness, headaches or nausea following close-up work
Blurred or double vision

A professional eye examination for every child, including those who do not show any signs of eye trouble, is recommended shortly after birth, at 6 months of age, before entering school (age 3 or 4) and periodically throughout the school years.

My Magic Glasses

This is a book by Will Christensen, and his 6 year old son, Cooper. Of his “Magic Glasses” Cooper says, “I see things better through their eyes.” He wears them with pride, because he sees the leaves on the tress, and he’s no longer afraid to go down the slide in the park when he sees his daddy at the bottom, ready to catch him. My Magic Glasses is the true story of Cooper, who was just three when he received his “Magic Glasses.”

My “Magic Glasses” includes information about Signs of Possible Eye Trouble in Children, and is a great story for all children who wear glasses. It is available at the Friends For Sight office for $6.50.

Do you know?

UV rays are harmful to your eyes as well as to your skin. These rays can damage the eye’s cornea, the lens, and the retina. If exposed to enough UV rays for a long enough duration, you may suffer from corneal sunburn, better known as sun or snow blindness. Eye pain, extreme sensitivity to even dim light, and the sensation of having sand in your eyes are all typical symptoms of sun or snow blindness. UV light or ultraviolet light, is the invisible but potentially very harmful light produced by the sun.

Just as you take the time to select the correct sunblock for your skin, you should take care to pick a pair of high quality sunglasses or goggles to shield your eyes.

What to look for in your next pair of Eyewear:

Lenses that block out both harmful UVA and UVB rays. Look for lenses that block more than 90 percent of both types of UV rays.
Break resistant lenses.
A tint that reduces glare. Neutral gray is best, because it provides a dark lens without loss of detail and least color distortion. Other good choices: amber, green, brown.
If you are a contact lens wearer, select either wraparound sunglasses or goggles to reduce dryness from wind exposure.
Sunglass frames should be lightweight, plastic, flexible, durable and adjustable in order to avoid eye injury in the case of a fall.
Goggles should provide enough ventilation to minimize fogging of lenses.
Go to an optical shop or specialty sport store to find the best quality eyewear. Always be careful to check the labels.

Tips for choosing Safe Toys

The right toy can help children develop imagination and coordination. But the wrong toy can do more harm than good.

Prevent Blindness America reports that in 2001, there were more then 25,000 eye injuries to children 14 and under that were associated with toys and sporting equipment. Ninety percent of these injuries were preventable.

While many toy manufacturers follow mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines for their products, several do not. Your challenge is to find a toy the child will love and one that you know is safe.

How do you select a safe toy? Friends For Sight offers these tips:

Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. Slingshots and even water guns are dangerous because they invite children to target other youngsters. BB guns should not be considered as toys at all.
Inspect toys for sound construction. Products give to young children should be made of durable materials with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.
Avoid giving toys with small parts to young children. These youngsters tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.
Read instructions carefully and follow suggested age levels. Is the toy appropriate for the child’s ability and age? Age labeling is provided not just for developmental reasons, but for safety as well.
Look for the letters “ASTM.” This indicates the product meets the national safety standard set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Once you’ve purchased that special gift, keep the child’s safety in mind and:

Explain how to use the toy.
Repair or throw away damaged toys.
Keep toys intended for older children away from younger ones.
Don’t let the child misuse toys in ways that could be dangerous.
Store or give away toys that a child has outgrown.

Harmful toys are not the only cause of injuries. Children who play in unsafe areas in the home increase their risk of accidents. Make sure the child plays in an open area and, if appropriate, under your supervision. Make a list of safety rules and share them with your child. If a youngster is playing with friends, remind everyone of your safety rules.

Holiday Shopping: Tips for Choosing Safe Toys

Small and fragile….mobile yet uncoordinated….curious and unpredictable-Some of these same characteristics that make infants, toddlers and preschoolers so enjoyable to watch are also the ones that pose a risk to their safety. Young children are often described as “accidents waiting to happen.” Too often, however, these accidents do occur and result in eye injuries.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hospital emergency rooms treat an estimated 290,000 product-related eye injuries annually. Children under 5 years of age represent 10 percent of this total with most product-related injuries occurring in or around the home and at play.

Product-related eye injuries required emergency room treatment are only a part of the total number of eye injuries. When all other factors are considered, the actual total may be several times greater than this estimate.

The right toys can help children discover their own abilities and to learn, but:

Avoid buying toys on impulse.
Consider a child’s ability rather than just age.
Read the age, instructions and safety labels.
Avoid toys with sharp or rigid points, rods and dangerous edges.
Inspect toys for sound durable construction.
Avoid toys with parts that shoot or fly off.

Once you’ve purchased that special gift, keep the child’s safety in mind and:

Explain how to use the toy properly.
Help the child store the toy safely.
Repair or throw away damaged toys.
Keep toys intended for older children away from younger children.
Don’t let the child use a toy any other way from its intended design.
Store or give toys away that a child has outgrown.

Inappropriate toys are not the only cause of injuries. Children who play in unsafe areas in the home increase their risk of injuries. Make sure the child plays in an open area and, if appropriate, under your supervision. Create a list of safety rules and share them with the child. If a child is playing with friends, remind them of your safety rules.

For more information on children’s eye problems or concerns, call Friends For Sight at 801-524-2020.