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Article
FOCUSING on your Children’s Eyes
By Florida Eye Center
Myths about Children's Eye Care
1. Child should not sit too close to the TV. (FALSE)
2. Child should not hold books too close to the eyes. (FALSE)
3. Rubbing the eyes will hurt them. (FALSE)
4. Crossing your eyes will hurt them. (FALSE)
5. Carrot should be eaten to make your eyes stronger. (THEY HELP, and are good
for you, and yummy, but carrots do not make the eyes 'stronger,' FALSE)
6. Reading in dim light hurts your eyes/should be avoided. (FALSE)
7. Lying down in the bed and reading should not be allowed. (FALSE)
8. Too much TV and computer exposure, especially computer games will hurt your
eyes. (FALSE)
Protecting your child's eyes
Eye injuries are among the most common threats to a child’s vision. Most eye
injuries happen during sports or recreational activities, and 90 percent of all
eye injuries can be prevented. It is important for parents and children to
become aware of the dangers and to take these necessary precautions:
• Make sure your children wear protective eyewear when participating in
activities or sports, such as baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, or
racquet ball.
• Supervise children when they are handling potentially dangerous glass or
pointed items such as pencils, pens, scissors, etc.
• Do not allow children to play with darts, bows & arrows, BB guns, guns or
fireworks.
• Keep all sprays and chemicals out of reach of small children.
• Select games and toys that are age appropriate.
If an eye injury occurs, it is always best to have an ophthalmologist,
pediatrician, or emergency room physician examine the eye as soon as possible.
Children with serious eye injuries should always be taken quickly to the nearest
emergency room for evaluation.
First Aid
• If something gets into your eye, such as sand or dust, do not rub your eye.
Wash your eye with water to get the object out.
• If your eye gets hit by a ball or a fist, put cold cloths on your eye for 15
minutes. This will make the swelling go down and the eye won't hurt so much. You
should also go to the doctor.
• If an object, such as a stick or a pencil, gets stuck in your eye, do not pull
it out. Put a loose bandage on your eye. This is very serious. You need to go to
the doctor right away.
• If a chemical, such as cleaning fluid or battery acid, splashes in your eyes,
wash out your eyes with water for at least 10 minutes. You need to go to the
doctor right away.
For more information or to schedule an exam call Florida Eye Center at
727-895-2020.
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