A teenager’s eyes are still developing and they need special care to stay healthy. Believe it or not, what a teen eats makes a difference in their overall eye health. The best diet includes healthy amounts of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish high in fatty omega acids. Maintaining a healthy diet can be a challenge for teens whose eating habits tend to include junk food, foods high in fat, and too much sugar.
The time teens spend with electronic devices can also affect their long term eye health. The use of smartphones for texting, social media, and media consumption, and hours spent on the computer can result in eyestrain and the development of myopia, or nearsightedness. Eye doctors recommend that anyone using digital screens for long periods of time, should take a break every twenty minutes and focus on an object in the distance.
Participating in sporting activities is another time when teens should protect their eyesight. Swimming goggles prevent germs, bacteria, and other contaminants from getting into the eyes. When playing baseball, tennis, racquetball and similar sports, protecting the eyes is important for preventing injuries.
Being outside in the sunshine is actually good for your eyes, as long as you protect them from harmful UV rays with sunglasses. Eye doctors are seeing an increase in the development of myopia due to a lack of time out in the sun. Adequate amounts of exercise, good nutrition, and limiting exposure to electronic screens can prevent vision problems in the future.
Children of all ages should have regular eye examinations to maintain good eye health. Don’t rely on school vision checks to determine whether or not your child needs glasses or other vision care. If vision problems such as detached retinas, cataracts, or glaucoma run in your family, be sure to tell your eye doctor so they can look for symptoms during routine eye exams.
See Island Eyecare’s experienced staff can help you and your teen maintain healthy eyesight. We can meet all your eye care needs including vision testing, prescription glasses or contact lenses. Call us today to book an appointment.