Children’s Eye Health Awareness Month | August

It is time to make a comprehensive eye exam appointment for your kids.

The school year is about to begin. It’s another time to buy school supplies and clothing items. However, it is also the time of the year when you have to pay attention to your children’s eye health. August marks the Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. And as the school year approaches, it is important that your kids are protected and aware of all the eye infections they might get within the classroom setting.

At what age should your kids have their first eye exam?

It is suggested that infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. Follow-up checkups should be done at 3 and then 6 years. After 6, a child’s eyes should be examined every 2 years unless they have eyeglasses or contact lenses which normally require an annual examination. It is advisable to list an eye examination as one of your back-to-school activities.

What are the errors and diseases your doctor could detect during eye exams?

If your physician suspects that your children’s eye health might be at risk, you can make an appointment with your local ophthalmologist for further testing.

• Nearsightedness • Farsightedness • Astigmatism • Strabismus (crossed eyes) • Amblyopia (lazy eye) • Color deficiency (color blindness) • Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid)

Keeping your children safe from eye injuries:

Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in American children. The National Eye Institute estimates that:

• A U.S. emergency room visit occurs every 13 minutes because of a sports-related eye injury • Most eye injuries among 11 to 14-year-olds occur during sports activity • Basketball, baseball, softball, ice hockey and racquet are sports with the highest number of eye injuries

If your children are active in sporting activities make sure they wear protective eyewear / goggles while participating in sports or recreational activities.

Make sure you have access to reliable eye healthcare providers.

Reach your trusted guide to a healthier life since 2006 – Health Plans In Oregon. For inquiries on healthcare insurance and Medicare, call 503-928-6918 or simply send an email to info@healthplansinoregon.com. Let’s make this Children’s Eye Health Awareness Month an opportunity to spread awareness and encourage each and every one to pay attention to our kids’ health needs, especially on preventing eye injuries and diseases. Also see: Having a Primary Care Physician | Why Does It Matter? Cheap Vision Insurance For Everyone