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Good eyesight is important in a child’s overall development. The Land O’ Lakes pediatric eye doctors at Florida Eye Center recommend instilling proactive measures and healthy habits in your children at a young age. From proper nutrition to minimizing eye strain, there are many easy ways to support your child’s vision.
Good eyesight starts with a foundation of proper nutrition. The Land O’ Lakes ophthalmologists at Florida Eye Center recommend eating vision-supporting nutrients with every meal. There are many vitamins and minerals that can support your child’s eyesight, but some vital nutrients include:
Start with foods rich in Vitamin A like carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. These nutrients are essential for keeping your vision in top shape. Vitamin A helps to support the health of your cornea, the outermost layer of your eye, and is crucial for low-light and color vision.
Include sources of Omega-3s such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts in your diet. These healthy fats are crucial for the development and function of your eyes. Omega-3s contribute to the health of the retina, the light-sensitive part of your eye, and may help prevent conditions like dry eyes.
Your child should load up on lutein and zeaxanthin found in kale, broccoli, and eggs. Lutein and zeaxanthin are concentrated in the retina and help protect your eyes from harmful high-energy light waves like ultraviolet rays.
Citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers are packed with Vitamin C, which can potentially help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps maintain the health of blood vessels in your eyes and helps to support collagen, a protein that provides structure to the eyes.
More than ever, having your child maintain a balance between screen time and outdoor activities plays a large role in keeping their eyes healthy.
Especially for children, it is very important to set reasonable limits on electronic device use to prevent digital eye strain. Prolonged screen time can lead to eye discomfort, fatigue, and even myopia (nearsightedness) in children. You can encourage outdoor play and sports. Not only do they provide a break from screens, but they also contribute to healthy eye development.
We highly recommend starting eye exams early for your child. It helps identify potential concerns and lays a strong foundation for their vision. The earlier there is a detection of vision issues such as a lazy eye or crossed eyes, the more likely it is that symptoms may subside.
Consistent eye checkups with your Land O’ Lakes ophthalmologist at Florida Eye Center help monitor any changes, address vision concerns promptly, and ensure optimal eye health throughout their life. Regular eye exams are essential for detecting conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, which often show no early symptoms.
Healthy vision habits begin at an early age. Support your child’s vision with the help of the top pediatric eye doctors in Land O’ Lakes at Florida Eye Center.
Call us at (813) 602-7336 or fill out the request form here to request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Florida Eye Center website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services provided by the medical professionals at Florida Eye Center or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Florida Eye Center. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Florida Eye Center is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.
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