Did you know that eye injuries affect about 2.4 million people every year? Emergency departments commonly treat eye injuries caused by sports, household products and toys. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, so we’ve put together some tips to protect your child’s vision.

Eye Care at Home

Make sure your furniture has no sharp corners or edges. Installing lights and handrails on the stairs will improve safety. Avoid using spray nozzles around children’s faces, and avoid splashing chemical cleaners when filling bottles. Keep these products out of reach of children. When mowing or trimming, always use a guard to protect from flying debris.

At Play

To avoid the sun’s damaging rays, make sure your child wears sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays. Teach your child not to look directly at the sun. If your child plays sports, choose appropriate eye protection made from polycarbonate. Make sure the toys you select are appropriate for your child’s age. Most importantly, set an example by wearing eye protection when you are playing sports or doing yard work.

In the Makeup Box

If your teen is using skin care products or makeup, stress the importance of keeping the tools clean. Brushes and applicators should be cleaned often – with soapy water. Saliva should never be used to mix or clean up makeup. Glittery eye shadow can scratch eyes. Never lend or borrow makeup, and never apply makeup if your eyes are red, swollen or infected.

Avoiding Eye Strain with Devices

Using a phone, tablet or computer increases the risk for eyestrain. Position these devices slightly farther away than if your child were holding a book. The top of the screen should be slightly below eye level. Reduce the amount of glare on the screen by dimming surrounding lighting and keeping the screen dust-free.

A few simple preventive steps can save you a trip to the emergency room! If an eye injury does occur, be sure to have an ophthalmologist or other medical doctor examine the eye as soon as possible.