As the summer vacation approaches, children are excited, looking forward to freedom and fun, while parents begin to worry about the health issues during their children’s holiday. The long holiday may lead to children’s disrupted daily routines, reduced outdoor activities, especially spending long hours staring at books or screens, which undoubtedly increases the risk of myopia. So, how can we ensure that children enjoy the holidays while protecting their eyesight? Here are some suggestions from ophthalmologists.
To reduce eye strain, advocate for a balance between work and rest. Encourage children to look into the distance, close their eyes for relaxation, or perform eye exercises every 30 to 40 minutes of continuous reading or writing, take a short 10-minute break, and allow their eyes to focus on distant greenery, giving the necessary rest time to their eyes.
Correct sitting posture is crucial for preventing myopia. Parents should guide children to follow the “one foot, one fist, one inch” principle, maintain an appropriate reading and writing distance, and correct head position to avoid the threat of myopia.
Ensure good lighting conditions for reading and studying, as it is a basic requirement for maintaining eyesight. Avoid reading or writing in environments with overly strong, dim, or flickering lights, creating a suitable visual environment for children.
Encourage at least two hours of outdoor activities every day, not only for children to enjoy nature but also to stimulate dopamine production, effectively preventing myopia. Considering the high temperatures in summer, outdoor activities can be done in the morning or evening, while not forgetting to take proper sun protection measures.
Balanced nutrition is equally important for eye health. Encourage children to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits to obtain vitamins, consider supplementing lutein if necessary, to provide adequate nutritional support for the eyes.
Regular eye examinations are necessary to detect problems early and take timely ophthalmic intervention measures, to prevent further progression of myopia.
Regarding the use of electronic devices, moderation is key. For children aged 0 to 3, it is best to avoid exposure to electronic products; children aged 3 to 6 should reduce usage; as for elementary and middle school students, after using electronic devices for learning, it is essential to remind them to rest and look into the distance to relieve eye fatigue.
Finally, pay attention to children’s farsightedness reserve, conduct regular checks, and take corresponding measures immediately once the reserve decreases to prevent premature myopia. By implementing these comprehensive methods, we can help children enjoy their holidays while maintaining their visual health.
