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Does My Child Need to Wear Eye Protection?

As parents, we want to help our children grow up as healthy and happy as possible. As the leading pediatric eye doctors in Tampa, the team at Florida Eye Center understands the importance of eye health and protection in children.

Mother and daughter wearing glasses and smiling at the optometrist's office

Sun Protection

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can pose significant risks to our children’s eyes. Especially in Florida, prolonged exposure to UV rays without protection can lead to conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer later in life. 

Due to the dangers of UV exposure on vision, it’s important to have your child wear sunglasses as early as possible. Look for sunglasses labeled as providing 100% UV protection, and ensure they fit well to provide an adequate amount of coverage for them. Wide-brimmed hats can offer additional protection by shielding the eyes from direct sunlight.

Sports Protection

Participation in sports is a fantastic way for children to stay active and develop social skills. However, it also comes with potential risks of eye injuries. Activities like baseball, basketball, and soccer can expose children to flying objects, collisions with their friends and classmates, or even accidental pokes to the eye. 

The children’s eye specialists in Tampa at Florida Eye Center recommend the use of appropriate sports eyewear, such as goggles or helmets with face shields, depending on the nature of the sport. These specialized eyewear options are designed to withstand impact and can provide crucial protection for your child’s eyes.

Glasses

Many children require corrective eyewear to address vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. In order to detect any potential vision problems early on, it is extremely important to prioritize regular eye exams with your child’s pediatric eye doctor in Tampa at Florida Eye Center. 

Additionally, if your child is prescribed glasses, make sure that they wear them consistently, as forgetting to do so can lead to further vision complications as they grow older.

Blue Light

Recently, children have been spending more time than ever in front of screens. Whether it’s for educational purposes or entertainment, all digital devices emit blue light, which can contribute to eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns. 

To mitigate the effects of blue light exposure, consider investing in blue light blocking glasses or screen filters for your child’s devices. You should encourage regular breaks from screen time and promote outdoor, non-screen activities to give their eyes a much-needed rest. Limiting screen use before bedtime can also promote better sleep health and overall well-being.

Find the Best Eye Protection For Your Child at Florida Eye Center

Taking proactive measures to protect your child’s vision and eye health can help them thrive. Protective eyewear can help make the difference between an easy time reading the board in school and preventing the need for additional eye health procedures in adulthood.

Request an appointment today to schedule a consultation with one of the top eye specialists in Tampa at Florida Eye Center.

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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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