Most parents, as well as children, understand the importance of healthy eyes and healthy vision. No one wants an eye injury or infection. But what they don’t always realize is that proper eating habits and a proper diet are both important parts of maintaining healthy eyes.
Like adults, children should eat a well-balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, kale. This will ensure that they get enough vitamins A, C, and E, which have been proven to promote eye health. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale contain antioxidants which help to prevent cataracts, as well as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
While these issues are not usually a concern for children, a poor diet can impact your child later in life.
Additionally, foods with omega-3 fatty acids including fish like salmon, halibut, and tuna, or flax seeds, chia seeds, or walnuts provide your eyes with the nutrition they require to function at their fullest.
It’s also important to note that exercise and physical activity in general help to maintain healthy eyes. Even just playing outside uses more of the body’s muscles and helps your child to stay in better shape. This can not only help to prevent eye disease, but it can help to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, which itself can cause multiple vision problems.
Myopia Risks During Childhood
Spending time outdoors can also reduce your child’s risk of myopia (nearsightedness), which is a growing problem throughout the country. Remember, when outside in the sun always wear sunglasses with UV protection.
Of course, limiting screen time, and avoiding too much exposure to blue light, can help prevent eye strain as well as further damage to the eye.
If you have any questions about your child’s eye health, please contact one of our Brampton optometrists.