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• Observe your children’s eyes and see if they are aligned. If one eye “runs” outward, inward, upward, or downward, then this may be indicative of strabismus, a problem that affects 4% of children. If you notice this, then your child should be checked by a Pediatric Ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
• Many school-age children have farsightedness. In most cases, they do not need glasses. Children generally adapt and can see clearly near and far. However, the existence of a significant degree of farsightedness can lead to the development of amblyopia and strabismus. It is therefore extremely important to check your children’s eyes at regular intervals even if they do not complain.
• Limit the time your children are exposed to the screen. Excessive screen exposure has been directly linked to the occurrence of myopia and digital eye strain syndrome. For this reason, we can follow the following eye hygiene rules:
• RULE 20-20-20: look away from the screen every 20 minutes and focus at least 20 feet (6 meters) away for at least 20 seconds.
• Exposure to natural sunlight prevents the onset of myopia in childhood.
• 3 -not so obvious- signs that your child may not see well:
• He loses interest very quickly when doing activities that require good vision.
• He loses his turn when reading.
• He turns or tilts his head in order to see something that is right in front of him.

If you notice one or more of the above, then your child should be checked immediately by a specialized Pediatric Ophthalmologist.

• The photos may help in the diagnosis of serious eye problems and thus save the vision or even the life of a child. The white, black or brown reflection of the pupil of the eye can be a warning sign for the existence of a serious eye disease and you should definitely contact a specialized Pediatric Ophthalmologist.
• Trauma is one of the most common causes of irreversible vision loss in children, especially in the age group of 14 years and older. Sunglasses or eyeglasses do not protect the eyes from injuries. In fact, if the lenses are not unbreakable, they can cause extensive damage to the eyes in the event of an injury.

More than 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by using special protective glasses for sports. Children who play basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, hockey, lacrosse, paintball and other activities should wear special protective eyewear to avoid serious injuries.

• If your children wear contact lenses, make sure they use them correctly and that they do not sleep without removing them. Poor hygiene and especially not removing them during sleep leads to an increased risk of developing corneal ulcers that can have devastating consequences for their vision.

Good vision is very important for children’s development and their success in school. Do not neglect to regularly check your children’s eyes with visits to specialized Pediatric ophthalmologists in order to diagnose and correct eye problems in a timely manner.