Safeguarding Your Child’s Eyes During Screen Time

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Children are using digital devices more than ever. From cell phones to tablets to computers to gaming consoles, it can seem like your kids are looking at screens every waking hour. As much as you may want to limit their screen time, it can feel impossible. But that doesn’t mean you should give up trying to protect your child’s eyes from screens. Prolonged use of screens can lead to a host of problems, the most common of which is digital eye strain. It can also lead to nearsightedness, since young eyes are still developing, and there is minimal distance vision used. Here are some ways to safeguard your child’s eyes during screen time.

Teach the 20-20 Rule

The constant focus on nearby objects (the screen), can cause the eyes to develop myopia, or nearsightedness. Encouraging regular breaks from screen use is one of the simplest and most effective methods of pediatric myopia control. The 20-20-20 rule, where a child takes a break every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, can help relax eye muscles and reduce strain.

Ensure Proper Lighting

The chances of your child developing digital eye strain can be minimized if you ensure proper lighting in the room where they are using screens. The room should be lit; not just the screen. This helps to reduce glare.

Position Screens at a Distance

Position screens at least an arm’s length away—or 24 inches—from their face and at eye level to reduce the tendency to lean in closer, which can exacerbate myopia development.

Encourage Outdoor Play

Playing outside is necessary for optimal development on many levels, including pediatric myopia control in Coldwater, MS. The reasoning is that being outside necessitates long distance vision, an important aspect of proper eye development.

Bring Your Child in For Regular Eye Exams

It’s especially important for kids to have regular eye exams. Twice a year is recommended, unless there is some underlying condition or concern. The eye doctor in Coldwater, MS

can assess your child’s eyes and determine if there’s any potential problem, ideally before it progresses too much further. Contact us today to learn more.

Teaching Kids to Care For Contact Lenses

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Whereas eyeglasses can be easily taken off, lost, or sat on, contact lenses are more likely to be used and accepted by your school-aged child. Contact lenses for kids in Coldwater, MS, offer a great alternative to eyeglasses. But contacts require special skills to ensure they are well cared for. Here are some tips for teaching your child to care for contact lenses.

Explain the Basics

Be sure to sit down with your child to ensure they understand the basics of contact lenses. Kids are naturally curious, so if you explain what they look like and how they work, your child will have that curiosity satisfied. It also helps them feel more confident about wearing the lenses, knowing that contacts have been used for a long time to correct vision.

Explain the Need

Secondly, explain how the contact lenses will directly help your child to see better, read better, and perform better. Talk about how good vision is essential for playing sports, enjoying playground equipment safely, gaining confidence in social situations, and doing well in school and in other ways. Knowing why they’re wearing contact lenses will motivate your child to care for them properly.

Explain the Function of Each Supply

Layout the contact lens supplies on the bathroom counter and explain what each one is for: the storage case, the cleaning solution, the saline solution, etc. Talk about what each product does.

Demonstrate the Process

Children are masters at mimicking what they see. First, demonstrate the whole process, from removing the contact lens from its container to cleaning, rubbing, and rinsing. Tell your child, “now it’s your turn,” and let your child practice while you oversee. Gently correct any “mistakes.” Practice again until you’re confident that your child has the process memorized.

Establish a Routine

Children respond well to routines, which make them feel safe. Consistency is key in contact lens care. Help your child develop a daily routine for inserting, removing, and cleaning their lenses.

Your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS, can reinforce your teachings at home, giving your child the tools and information to care for their contact lenses. Contact us today to book an appointment!

What Is Pediatric Myopia?

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Pediatric myopia may sound like a serious condition, but it’s actually a very common vision problem: near-sightedness. Many children have pediatric myopia. If you think your child may have pediatric myopia, it’s important to take your child to the eye doctor in Coldwater, MS, so you can identify vision problems before they impact your child’s education and other factors. Here’s what to know.

What Is Pediatric Myopia?

Pediatric myopia is a type of refractive error, which means that the eye cannot focus light, resulting in blurry vision. Myopia allows your child to see up close but not far away. This condition occurs in about 20% of children and usually seems to become a problem around age 9 or 10 years old. Your child may not be aware that they have a problem, so you’ll have to watch them for the signs.

Signs Your Child Has Pediatric Myopia

There may be many signs that your child is having a hard time seeing clearly. Your child may:

  • Sit very close to the television
  • Squint at objects in the distance
  • Hold books very close to their face while reading
  • Get frequent headaches

You may also notice a decline in their ability to concentrate or get work done at school. Their academics may suffer as this becomes a bigger problem.

Your Child Has Pediatric Myopia? Next Steps

When you take your child to the eye doctor, the eye doctor can give your child a vision test to diagnose the problem correctly. Once the eye doctor has determined the severity of myopia, they’ll write a prescription for corrective lenses. Once this happens, it’s time to get new glasses. If your child is old enough and would like contact lenses, they’ll need a special examination before the doctor can write a prescription for contacts.

Shopping for glasses can be fun for your child. Take your child to an eye doctor that has a large showroom of glasses to choose from, so you and your child can find the right pair.

Has your child had an eye exam in Coldwater, MS, recently? If not, make an appointment with Coldwater Vision Center. Call today.

Sources

https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/myopia#:~:text=Myopia%20(nearsightedness)%20means%20that%20your,in%2020%20percent%20of%20children.

Fit and Function: The Difference Between Pediatric and Adult Contact Lenses

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Kids who are near-sighted usually find out around the age of 8, and it’s easy to see why children that young might prefer contact lenses instead of glasses. For anyone who loves their sports and recreational activities, it can be uncomfortable or worrisome to be constantly dealing with bouncing frames. If you’re curious about how pediatric contact lenses in Coldwater, MS work, we’ll look at the facts.

What You Should Know

For the most part, pediatric and adult contact lenses are similar. As with adult exams, you can expect the contact lenses — whether they’re gas permeable or soft — will be fitted specifically for their eyes. If your child is interested in contact lenses, there should be some degree of discussion between you and the optometrist before purchasing anything.

If you’re not confident in your child’s ability to care for contact lenses, you can consider a trial period to assess their commitment to keeping their eyes and lenses safe from harm. As a general rule, optometrists are trending toward recommending contact lenses for younger children, though again, it will depend on the individual child. This is due to not only increased demand, but also a number of psychological benefits for kids (e.g., kids with contacts may feel more confident in their appearance).

Pediatric Contact Lenses in Coldwater, MS

At Coldwater Vision Center, we work with each child to determine the best course of treatment. We also offer pediatric contact lenses specifically for children with aphakia. This condition, which is sometimes fixed with surgical intervention, affects the lens of the child’s eye. They may be far-sighted or have trouble seeing and distinguishing colors. The right contact lenses can make a major difference in cases where surgery isn’t an option.

There’s no doubt that contact lenses are a big responsibility. Failing to take care of them can result in anything from mild discomfort to serious infection. However, there are concrete benefits for many kids who are committed to wearing contact lenses. If you have questions about your child and the best course of treatment, the staff at Coldwayer Vision Center is here to help. If you’re looking for an eye doctor in Coldwater, contact us today.

Contact Lenses for Children with Aphakia

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Would you like to know more about aphakia in children? Here we are going to go over some background, details, and the most frequently asked questions about children with aphakia. This will help you when you discuss the most suitable aphakia treatment for children in Coldwater, MS with your optometrist.

What Is Aphakia?

Aphakia is when you don’t have a lens inside your eye. The lens of your eye is the clear oval-shaped structure that is located behind your iris, which is the colored part of the eye and your pupil. This is what focuses light rays on the retina. So, when your eye doesn’t have a lens, your eye will be out of focus and your vision will be blurry.

What Causes Aphakia?

There are three main causes of aphakia.

  1. Cataract Surgery – Typically, when a child has cataract surgery, the eye’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens or intraocular lens. When a cataract is removed in a child’s eye, they are sometimes left without an IOL after the cloudy lens has been surgically removed.
  2. 2. Injury – An injury or trauma sometimes causes Aphakia to the eye’s lens.
  3. Congenital Defect – Sometimes babies are born without lenses in their eyes or are born with detached or abnormal lenses. Fortunately, this is rare, but it does happen. On that same note, sometimes people are genetically predisposed to aphakia.

What Are the Signs of Aphakia?

It’s always best to talk to your optometrist in Coldwater, MS about any eye issues you might be experiencing. But here are the most common signs that you might have aphakia.

  • Trouble focusing
  • Blurry vision
  • Changes in your colored vision
  • Colors that appear faded
  • Your focus changes as your distance from an object changes
  • Nearsightedness or farsightedness

How Do You Treat Aphakia in Children?

There are several treatment options for children with aphakia.

Surgery – With aphakia surgery, an IOL replaces your damaged, missing, or detached lens. However, for newborns, IOL is implanted during a subsequent surgery to help avoid complications.

Contact Lenses – People with aphakia are frequently treated with special contact lenses that help provide clear vision. The contact lenses are worn for a month or more without having to be changed.

Glasses – Aphakia can also be treated with eyeglasses; however, this approach is best suited to those that have aphakia in both eyes.

If you need an optometrist in Coldwater, MS, please Contact Coldwater Vision Center today to schedule an appointment for your child with aphakia.

 

Causes of Myopia in Children

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Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a common eye disorder in children. In fact, researchers estimate that 25% of school-age children have some degree of myopia. Pediatric myopia control in Coldwater, MS is available. Here are some common reasons why myopia often occurs with children.

“Near” Activities

As children have started to do more “near” activities in recent years, such as staring at computer screens, smartphones, and playing video games, many doctors have reported a marked increase in the number of children experiencing myopia.

Heredity

For children who have parents who are nearsighted, it is much more likely they too will inherit myopia. Whether it is one or both parents, researchers believe that when heredity is combined with certain environmental factors, such as reading or staring at a computer, children who have a genetic predisposition to developing myopia often do so.

Eyeball Growth

In most children, eyeball growth stops when they are quite young. However, during growth spurts, it is possible for some children to experience additional eyeball growth that results in myopia. When this occurs, it can become a condition known as high myopia, which can get progressively worse with age. Depending on its severity, refractive surgery may be needed to correct the problem. Increasing the risk your child could develop cataracts, glaucoma, or detached retinas later in life, failing to treat high myopia can result in blindness.

Improper Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses

Though much is still unknown as to what causes myopia in kids, some researchers have started to look at the possibility that regular glasses and contact lenses that have been given to kids for years may play a role in the onset or progression of myopia. Because of this, investigating new ways of designing lenses for glasses and contacts has begun, hoping it may be able to halt or slow the progression of childhood myopia. Rest assured, your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS will be on the cutting edge of this research.

If your family has a history of nearsightedness or you notice your child squinting, experiencing headaches, or suddenly having poor school grades, it could be caused by myopia. To get a proper diagnosis and the correct treatment, schedule an eye exam today for your child with an eye doctor you know and trust.

Does My Little One Need to See the Eye Doctor?

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Should your little one be seeing the eye doctor in Coldwater MS? It depends. Children need to see the eye doctor at various stages of development in order to ensure that they have good eye health.

Don’t wait until your child has noticed symptoms of a problem to bring your child to the eye doctor. Many kids don’t know when they have vision trouble – so by the time your child notices, it could mean their condition is severe or has been going on for a long time. Knowing when to bring your child to the eye doctor is important.

Take Your Child Before First Birthday

Your child should see the eye doctor before age one. Eye doctors know which symptoms to watch for in little ones, and can help detect conditions that could cause developmental delays in your child. Eye exams for babies are relatively simple and don’t take very long, and they’re not uncomfortable at all. Once your baby has had their first pediatric eye exam in Coldwater MS, then you won’t have to take them again until it’s time to go to school.

Schedule a Visit Before Each School Year

Your child should visit the eye doctor before they start school each year. It’s important to see the eye doctor before school begins because your child needs to be able to see the books and the white board at the front of the room in order to perform academically.

Schedule a visit with the eye doctor each year before school starts in the fall. This way, you’ll know if your child needs glasses or contacts in order to get through the academic year.

Contact the Eye Doctor If You’re Seeing Symptoms

One more thing: take your child to see the eye doctor if you’re noticing symptoms of a problem. If you see your child squinting to read or see things in the distance, or if your child starts complaining about headaches, take your child to the eye doctor. Your child may not be complaining about blurry vision – that doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.

To make an appointment for your little one, call Coldwater Vision Center today. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

How Often Should My Child See the Eye Doctor?

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Children need to see the eye doctor on a regular basis, even if they don’t exhibit signs of eye trouble. Knowing how often your child should see the eye doctor in Coldwater, MS can help you take care of your child’s eye health. It’s also helpful to know the signs of an eye problem, so you can be sure to get your child to the eye doctor right away when it’s needed.

When To Bring Your Child Into the Eye Doctor

Bring your child to see the eye doctor by the time they’re one, and again before they start school. Once they begin school, take your child to the eye doctor each year – even if they don’t have an eye problem.

Eye problems can develop at any time, and can have a serious impact on your child’s academic and social development. Bringing your child to the eye doctor regularly can catch problems in their early stages, before they have an impact on your child’s reading or academic performance.

You should also bring your child to the eye doctor if you’ve noticed that they’re displaying symptoms of a problem.

Signs of a problem:

  • Sitting close to the television
  • Squinting
  • Must sit at the front of the classroom to see
  • Covering one eye to see
  • Excessive eye rubbing
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating

Why It’s Important to See the Eye Doctor

Children who don’t get pediatric eye exams in Coldwater, MS or treatment for their eye trouble may suffer from poor confidence in academic settings. Believing it is their fault, they may develop an early fear or aversion to school work.

This can affect children socially as well as academically. Children who believe that they are unable to perform properly in school may assume social roles wherein they are not expected to perform, which could become a permanent part of your child’s identity.

Make Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Get your child off to the right start in school and in other settings. Call Coldwater Vision Center to make an appointment for your child’s next pediatric eye exam. We’ll check your child’s eye health and make recommendations for glasses if needed.

Pediatric Myopia (Nearsightedness) – Important Facts for Parents to Know

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Myopia (nearsightedness) is actually the most common type of refractive problem among children. According to the Boston Children’s Hospital, myopia may actually affect as many as one in five children. Essentially, if your child has myopia, it means that your child can see things better when they are close to their eyes and may have problems seeing things from a distance. Here are a few things you may want to know if your child has been diagnosed with myopia by a Coldwater eye doctor.

How is myopia treated in children?

Refractive errors like myopia generally call for either prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to alter how the eye uses light to focus, which can enhance visual quality. Therefore, glasses tend to be the most common treatment for myopia in younger children and contacts may become an option as the child gets older.

Can myopia get worse as the child gets older?

Myopia is a refractive error that is rarely ever present early in a child’s life. Usually, the problem begins to develop as the child grows, and is most often diagnosed around 9 or 10 years old. Myopia can get worse over the years, but it is more common for the condition to somewhat ‘level off’ or stop progressing at a certain point. If myopia seems to continue to progress beyond adolescence, your child may have what is referred to as progressive myopia, which can be a serious optometric condition that should be closely monitored with the help of an eye doctor.

Can pediatric myopia be completely cured?

Pediatric myopia is most often a lifelong condition. The condition is considered genetic in nature, so myopia may have more to do with how the eye grows than anything else. Children with myopia may eventually be candidates for laser eye surgery to correct the refractive error.

Work with a Coldwater, MS Eye Doctor for Pediatric Eye Conditions

As a parent, being attentive to vision issues that can affect your child is ever-important. If you suspect that your child has myopia or if your child is due for a vision checkup, reach out to us at Coldwater Vision Center in Coldwater, MS to schedule an appointment.

Can Children Wear Contact Lenses?

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At Coldwater Vision Center in Coldwater, MS, we treat patients of all ages, including children. We offer eye exams for children and we carry a wide variety of eyeglasses that your child will be proud to wear. However, one of the questions that we get asked is if children can wear contact lenses.

Some Contact Lenses Are Therapeutic

There has been an exciting new development in contact lenses. There are now lenses that are actually recommended for some children in order to prevent myopia or nearsightedness. These are Ortho-K lenses. Since myopia is partially caused by misshapen eyes, Ortho-K contact lenses can help to prevent this “mis-growth” from occurring. Talk to your vision care professional to see if this is an option for your child.

The Child Must be Mature Enough

Contact lenses require a certain amount of maturity to wear and take care of them. If your child doesn’t properly care for their lenses, eye infection and damage can occur. For instance, most lenses must be cleaned and disinfected daily. As a parent, you have to ask yourself if your child is likely to do this. If you still need to nag your child about washing their face and brushing their teeth nightly, it’s unlikely they’ll have what it takes to ensure their contact lenses are properly disinfected before putting them in each day.

Furthermore, is your child likely to lose their lenses? Contacts have to be placed in their case when not worn, not inside a clump of tissue inside a backpack. Of course, you can always opt for daily wear lenses, which can be thrown away after each use. This is a decision that needs to be discussed with you, your child and your Coldwater Vision Center eyecare professional.

The short answer is that yes, children can and do wear contact lenses. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be easier to have your younger child wear eyeglasses until they exhibit a level of maturity that shows they’re ready for contact lenses.

For more information about corrective eyewear for your children, please contact Coldwater Vision Center in Coldwater, MS today. We’re here to help with all of your family’s vision needs.