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For students, summer break is an opportunity to try new activities, spend more time outdoors, and learn outside the classroom.
While relaxing and enjoying the warm weather is essential for children’s health and development, summertime activities can increase the risks of eye health issues. The end of the school year is the perfect time to share a few tips about student eye protection.
What Are the Top Summer Eye Risks?
Students typically spend more time outside during summer break and engage in a broader range of sports and activities than during the school year.
Here’s what it means for student eye protection:
- Being outside means higher levels of exposure to UV rays. This is especially true for students heading to the beach since the sand and water can reflect UVs.
- Eye injuries happen more frequently in the summer. Finger-eye contact can happen during many team sports, and projectiles can accidentally hit the eye when playing racket sports.
- For those who enjoy swimming or lounging by the pool, chlorine can damage the cornea. Conjunctivitis is another potential issue for those with sensitive eyes.
- The summer months are an opportunity to wind down. For some students, relaxation means spending more time in front of screens, which can increase the risk of developing a number of health conditions.
Failing to address eye health during the summer can cause students to develop vision problems that could affect learning. Plus, eye health problems in childhood can result in poor vision in adulthood, with high levels of UV exposure increasing the risks of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Student Eye Protection Tips for the Summer
Share a few eye health tips to help students protect their vision before the summer break.
UV Protection for Kids
Children’s eyes let in 70% more UV rays than adults’. Wearing sunglasses remains the best way to block UVA and UVB rays.
Discussion topics include explaining what UV rays are, how sunglasses block them, and the importance of wearing sunglasses from dawn to dusk.
Sports and Eye Safety for Kids
Wearing protective goggles can prevent a painful eye injury when playing sports or exploring. Swimming goggles are a must-have accessory for the pool.
Discussing common signs of eye injury can help students recognize when to seek medical help. While symptoms like redness and swelling are obvious, students might not immediately associate blurred vision or sensitivity to light with an eye injury.
Eye Moisture and Hydration
Eye moisture levels can drop due to a combination of heat, wind, and exposure to pool or ocean water. Another common issue is infrequent blinking due to screen use.
Artificial tears can make a difference, but you should also educate students about the importance of staying hydrated. Children should drink six to eight cups of water a day. And, of course, soft drinks are not a substitute for water!
Screen Time
Encourage students to be mindful of their screen habits this summer. You can recommend strategies like setting daily or weekly limits to prevent digital eye strain.
Protect Students’ Eye Health With a VCD Plan
From eye injuries to increased exposure to UV rays, vision health risks can be higher in the summer.
As an educator, you can help by educating students about these risks and discussing the importance of wearing sunglasses or protective goggles, staying hydrated, and limiting screen time.
Promoting eye health in the classroom and at home also involves regular eye exams to catch and address refractive errors and other eye health problems early. Communicating with parents about the benefits of regular eye exams for school-age children can go a long way in improving eye health in the classroom.
Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma can help families save on exams and other services with flexible, negotiated savings. Find out more about VCD and affordable eye health plans for families.
Summary
Summer break is an opportunity for students to relax and try new activities. However, UV rays, swimming pools, team sports, and screen time can increase the risk of developing an eye health issue. Teachers should discuss a few eye safety tips with students before the summer break.
