Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month—a time to bring awareness to the importance of pediatric eye care and eye safety for children’s overall health. Starting as early as six months of age, regular vision exams can help to monitor healthy development, diagnose inherited eye conditions, and ensure that kids are set up to excel in school and beyond.

Some of the most common eye conditions screened for in children include:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Astigmatism (blurred vision)
• Color blindness
• Styes and chalazions (painful bumps in the eye that can obstruct vision)

Catching these conditions early can make all the difference in preventing long-term vision issues and improving children’s performance in the classroom. Still, many children miss out on routine screenings due to cost, limited access to care, and insufficient action and awareness from providers. A 2023 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that only 3% of pediatricians initiate eye exams at the recommended age of six months. Further research shows that the lack of access to pediatric vision care disproportionately affects children from low-income and non-English speaking households, worsening existing health and educational disparities.

Preventing eye injuries is another critical component of protecting children’s vision. From sports and playground accidents to screen-related eye strain, kids may encounter a range of harms to eye safety in their everyday lives. Using shatterproof eyewear for contact sports and UV-protective sunglasses, and taking regular breaks from looking at cell phones and computers, can help to safeguard against these risks.  Limiting exposure to devices may also help to support children’s sleep hygiene, as the blue light from screens has been shown to suppress the production of melatonin (the “sleep hormone”) and negatively impact circadian rhythm.

Whittier Street Health Center encourages our optical and pediatric care providers to educate children and families about the importance of eye health and safety, and ensure that everyone has equitable access to comprehensive vision care, no matter their age, background, or socio-economic status. In honor of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, we urge parents and caregivers to make vision screenings a routine part of their child’s health care. Early detection is key to protecting your child’s eyesight and setting them up for a lifetime of healthy learning, development, and success.

To learn more about eye care services at Whittier, please visit https://www.wshc.org/services/eye-care/ or call (617) 989-3058 to schedule an appointment.