JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — Children’s eye health should be protected from an early age, as poor daily habits can lead to long-term vision problems. Healthy eyes support learning and development.
The eye not only serves to see, but also plays an important role in the physical, social, and cognitive development of children. Information received through vision is very helpful for children to interact and learn from the surrounding environment.
Although it looks simple, maintaining a child’s health requires commitment and patience. Childhood is an important stage in shaping healthy living habits, so it takes the right approach so that children are accustomed to doing good things for their health, including eye health.
To avoid vision disorders, several steps can be taken to maintain the health of the child’s eyes from an early age. The following are tips that can be applied daily, as collected from various sources.
How to maintain eye health from an early age
1. Give a nutritious intake
To maintain the health of the child’s eyes, it is important to provide nutrient-rich food every day. Some types of foods, such as carrots, fish, spinach, sweet potatoes, and eggs, contain vitamin A and omega-3, which are very good in supporting the function of vision.
2. Perform an eye examination regularly
Although there is no visible interference, eye examination should be done since the child is 6 months old. After that, the examination can be scheduled every two years. This step is useful for detecting early on if there is a visual impairment, so that the treatment can be faster and more effective.
3. Train the child’s vision ability
Visual stimulation is also important so that the development of children’s vision runs optimally. Parents can introduce brightly colored toys and various shapes, but still ensure that the toys are safe to play.
4. Protect the child’s eyes from direct sunlight
When playing outside the home, make it a habit to use sunglasses to protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays. Also, avoid outdoor activities when the sun is hot, especially between 11 am to 3 pm, to prevent damage to the eye, such as corneal irritation and retina.
5. Limit the usage gadget
Too long staring at the screen can cause a child’s eyes to be easily tired, dry, and even decrease visual acuity. Teach children to rest every 20 minutes by taking a look away for a minimum of 20 seconds to keep their eyes relaxed.
6. Prevent habits that can damage the eyes
Some bad habits, such as excessive rubbing, watching television too close, or touching the eyes with dirty hands, can have a negative impact. Parents need to watch and remind children to avoid these habits.
7. Enough intake of body fluids
Lack of fluids can make the eyes dry and more susceptible to infection. Make sure the child drinks enough water every day, at least four glasses, or adapted to their age and daily activities.
8. Sleep adequately and quality
A night’s rest helps restore the condition of the body, including the eyes. Make a healthy sleep routine, for example, by limiting screen time before bed, maintaining the cleanliness of the bed, and creating a comfortable room atmosphere.
