Back to School

Six tips for supporting student eye health

By Dr. Giovanna Olivares, OD, FAAO; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Director & Staff Writer

Back to school with healthy eyes

As parents and teachers, it’s all about giving children the things they need to have a fun and successful school year. One important and underrated aspect of this is their eye health. As Stanford University professor and development economist Scott Rozelle states, correcting vision “is the single most effective health intervention when it comes to improving academic performance.” This is supported by the finding that 80% of what children learn comes from visuals.

By following these simple tips, parents and teachers can support children's eye health and ensure a comfortable and safe learning experience.

Tips for parents and teachers

1. Provide regular eye tests

Children who can’t see well may get bored, act out, and could even be misdiagnosed with learning or behavioural disorders. The vision screening typically done at school is only capable of detecting certain kinds of vision issues. Regular comprehensive eye tests can check for any current vision problems or those that can develop as they grow, like myopia.

2. Create a vision-friendly environment

Set up a comfortable study area, which may need customising based on the student. Comfortable lighting is the top priority. Too bright can strain the eyes, as can too dim. The same goes for screen brightness if the student is using a digital device. Try to match the brightness to the surroundings. Finally, ensure their reading distance is adequate. Computer screens should be viewed from at least 20 inches away.

3. Encourage healthy digital habits

Remind children and teens to take breaks from screens every 20 minutes (we know, this can be a challenge) and encourage a balance between screen time and outdoor activities. Research shows that two or more hours a day outside can help reduce the onset of myopia or slow its progression.¹

4. Serve eye-healthy foods

Certain foods support healthy eyesight and eye development. Those foods include fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E like carrots, spinach, and citrus fruits.

5. Protect Their Eyes

When students play outside, encourage them to wear sunglasses to shield themselves from harmful UV rays. If they’re playing sports through school recreationally, be sure to protect their eyes, when necessary, by wearing protective gear.

6. Watch for warning signs

It can sometimes be hard to spot the signs of eye issues, but some things to look out for are frequent headaches, squinting, or rubbing eyes. If you notice any concerns, consult an Eye Care Professional.

Schedule an eye test today

A comprehensive eye test which is much more extensive than vision screening at school can detect the early signs of myopia, as well as more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases². Get one scheduled and make sure your child is prepared for a successful school year.

Find an Optician

About the author

Giovanna E. Olivares, OD, FAAO is the Global Director, Specialty Platforms Research & Development, at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (JJVC). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the strategy, design, and development of new products to support the company’s global Astigmatism and Presbyopia platforms.

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References:

Wu PC, Chen CT, Lin KK, et al. Myopia Prevention and Outdoor Light Intensity in a School-Based Cluster Randomized Trial. Ophthalmology 2018;125:1239-50.
American Optometric Association. Systemic Conditions with Ocular and Visual Manifestations. December 2014.

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