Tips for Supporting Your Child's Visual Acuity

As a parent, you probably marveled as you watched your child’s eyes develop. When they started following items around the rooms, it was a milestone. When you realized they recognized your face, even more so. 

As they age, these markers of visual development become less pronounced. Still, it’s essential to continue monitoring their eye health and visual acuity. Doing so helps ensure your child can see the world clearly. 

We’re here to help here at Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates in Aiea, Hawaii. As an expert in eye health in kids, Dr. Endo comes alongside your family to help you make choices that support your child’s ability to see well. 

With that goal in mind, we have some tips to support your child’s visual acuity. 

Help them eat for eye health

A balanced diet centered around whole foods helps the eyes get what they need to function at their best. Orange fruits, leafy greens, and fish are all great sources of the nutrients eyes need. 

Dr. Endo offers nutritional counseling if your family would like guidance in this area. 

Watch for signs that their eyes need support

Children often don’t realize they need glasses. It’s up to you to watch out for the indicators that your child’s visual acuity needs some help.

Signs they’re not seeing clearly include:

• Squinting
• Head-tilting
• Sitting close to things like TVs and whiteboards
• Rubbing their eyes
• Complaining of headaches

If those sound familiar, come see Dr. Endo. With an eye exam, he can see if your child would benefit from glasses or contact lenses. 

Even if you’re not noticing any of these warning signs, regular eye exams help to track your child’s visual acuity and make sure they’re seeing the way they should. Most kids benefit from exams every 1–2 years. Dr. Endo can help your family find the right cadence based on your child’s unique eyes. 

Wear the right gear during sports

Injuries can compromise your child’s eyes. If your child participates in a high-intensity sport, they may benefit from wearing protective eyewear. 

If you’re not sure what’s right for your child and the sport they play, come see Dr. Endo. He can help you protect their eyes against issues that could interfere with their acuity. 

Be mindful of screen time

Increasing evidence suggests that “near work” (looking at something up close) is contributing to the rise in nearsightedness. Excessive screen time can lead to eye strain. 

Encourage your child to intermix screen time with activities that encourage them to look at things far away, like playing outside. And when they are on a screen, use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, have them take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. 

You don’t have to support your child’s visual acuity alone. For eye exams, nutritional guidance, and more, call our office at 808-774-3838 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Endo today.