Back to School Eye Health Advice
Specsavers Opticas are offering free kids eye tests throughout the month of September and advice for parents on how to keep their children’s eyes healthy:
“As parents we like to give our children the best start in life, and seeing well is intrinsically linked to so many behavioural, social and educational issues that it’s vital to help them care for their eyes. By simply taking them for regular eye tests and teaching them how to avoid damaging their eyes in play, you can help them to protect their eyes and identify any issues early so they do not effect development.
Here are some simple tips you can teach your child so they are aware of potential hazards to their sight –
- Never poke things into your eyes, not even fingers.
- Never play with strong chemicals, like washing-up liquid, washing powder or bleach. Getting these in your eyes can be very dangerous.
- Never throw sand or dirt in anyone’s face.
- Never look straight at the sun – not even through dark glasses. The bright light from the sun can burn your retina.
- If an optician suggests you need to wear glasses – wear them!
- Always wear sunglasses which block out the sun’s harmful rays in bright sunshine.
- Always wear safety glasses when you handle harmful substances.
As well as helping children to protect their eyes, identifying any problems with your child’s eyesight is very important in their early years. Poor vision can effect social and educational development throughout their whole life if the problem goes undetected, so it’s vital to take them for regular tests from the age of 3. Look out for signs such as sitting too close to the TV, rubbing their eyes or complaining of headaches, which can indicate there’s a problem. If you see any of these signs, take them for a test right away. Full eye tests are free at Specsavers Opticas for all children under 16 years throughout September, and they don’t need to be able to read to have one.”
Specsavers Opticas currently has eight stores in Spain; Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol, Santa Ponça Mallorca, Calpe, Javea, Benidorm, Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca. Visit www.specsavers.es for more advice and information about eye care, to find your nearest store and book a free back to school eye test.
Author details: José Ángel Moral-Tajadura, Specsavers Opticas’ Business Development Manager, Spain.