Children don't usually think twice about their eyes.

They will sit very close to the television. Rub their eyes with whatever is on their hands. Read lying down. Stare at a phone for what feels like forever. We often notice that something is wrong only when a child starts complaining, avoids reading, holds things too close, or says they cannot see the board properly. And sometimes, there may not be any complaint at all. That is why children's eye health needs a little more attention than we may think.

Start with the small things at home.

A lot of eye safety is actually about everyday habits.

Children need good lighting when they are reading or doing homework. They should not have to strain their eyes in a dark room while looking at a bright screen.

The same goes for screens. It is not always realistic to tell a child, “No phone, no TV, no tablet.” Screens are part of schoolwork, entertainment, and everyday life now. Teach them how to use them sensibly.

Take breaks. Look away from the screen. Blink properly. Don't keep the screen inches from the face.

And if a child is spending a long time on a device, especially for schoolwork, regular breaks become even more important.

When a child keeps rubbing the eyes

This is one of those things parents may ignore. Frequent eye rubbing can also happen when the eyes are itchy, dry, or irritated, or when a child is having an allergic reaction. If it keeps happening, it is worth paying attention rather than assuming it will go away.

And one important rule — don't let children rub an injured eye.

If something gets into the eye, the natural reaction is to rub it. But that can make the situation worse.

Children need to know this too. They may not always remember in the moment, but it is worth teaching them.

Don't ignore the way a child sees

• Watch out for the following in your child; these need attention.
• A child may squint a lot.
• Sit unusually close to the TV.
• Hold a book very near the face.
• Tilt the head while looking at something.
• Cover one eye to see better.
• Avoid reading.
• Lose interest in schoolwork or complain of headaches after studying.

Now, not every headache means there is an eye problem, obviously.

But when several of these things keep happening, it is better to get the eyes checked rather than guessing.

Children often assume that what they see is normal because they have nothing to compare it with.

If one eye is seeing clearly and the other is not, the child may not even realize there is a difference.

That is one reason routine eye examinations can be useful, even when a child says they can see perfectly well.

Eye injuries are a different story.

If children are using anything that can potentially injure the eyes, supervise and teach them how to use it safely. Protective eyewear may also be needed for certain sports or activities.

If an eye injury does happen, especially if there is severe pain, bleeding, sudden vision changes, or something has entered the eye, it needs prompt medical attention.

Don't try random home remedies. And don't let the child keep rubbing the eye.

What about sunlight?

A good pair of sunglasses that offers UV protection can help when children are outdoors in strong sunlight. A hat can help too.

This is especially useful during long periods outside rather than treating sunglasses as just another accessory.

Explain children, don't just keep warning them.

This may actually be the most useful part of eye safety.

·       Instead of repeatedly saying, “Don't touch your eyes,” explain why.

• Tell them not to share eye makeup or personal eye products.
• Tell them what to do if dust gets into the eye.
• Explain why they should never point sharp objects at another person's face.

The more children understand the reason behind a safety rule, the more likely they are to remember it.

At Dr. Tony Fernandez Eye Hospital, they have a very experienced eye care team who evaluates children's eye problems. Beyond examination and treatment, they talk with parents, explaining in detail the observations, findings, and treatment plans.

With the best infrastructure and most modern facilities, Dr. Tony Eye Hospital has been excelling in child eye care, with a lot of happy patients from all over the country. Do not wait for eye problems to get worse to book an appointment with the best eye doctors in Kerala. Early care means early diagnosis, early diagnosis means simple treatments!.