Tag: kids

4 Tips to Promote Healthy Eyes During Back to School Season

Whether your child will be going back to classes in person, staying home this fall, or a little of both, their eyesight is important to their overall health and learning. Poor vision can harm your child’s education because their eyes are constantly used for visual learning activities such as reading, writing, and using computers. Be sure to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Longe Optical for your child at the start of the year to ensure they are seeing clearly and can learn their best!

  1. Screenings aren’t everything

A basic screening that your child might have done at school, while helpful with detecting vision issues, doesn’t capture the overall health of eyes. Only a comprehensive eye exam like the ClearVu Experience we offer here at Longe Optical can truly give you the big picture of your eyesight. Vision screenings in school and at a pediatrician’s office usually only test a child’s distance vision. Most learning is done through reading which is closer than 20 feet.

  1. Know your family’s eye history

Knowledge of past and present family eye disorders can help save your vision. If age-related macular degeneration (AMD) runs in your family, you’ll have a greater chance of developing it. Telling your optometrist the types of eye diseases that run in your family can help them give you accurate recommendations for eye screenings. The earlier an eye disease is caught, the better chances you may have of saving your vision. This is why annual comprehensive eye exams are important!

  1. Wear Sunglasses on cloudy days

Making sure your children have proper eyewear even if it’s cloudy outside is important! Your eyes are exposed to UV light even on cloudy days and during every season of the year. Cataracts, other growths, and various cancers are directly related to UV exposure. Make sure your sunglasses offer 100% UV protection. Just because a pair of sunglasses says it offers “UV protection” doesn’t mean it is protecting against all kinds of UV.

  1. Healthy diet and exercise

Nothing can replace a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. Eating properly is good for your body, and that goes for your eyes, too! Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin help prevent cataracts, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. Lutein also stimulates the growth of pigments that block out harmful UV rays. Antioxidants improve protection against sun damage. Carrots, blueberries, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are a few excellent sources of antioxidants. Exercise is vital to healthy vision as it helps prevent high blood pressure which can damage vision and even lead to blindness.

For more information about what to include in a healthy diet and lifestyle, ask your optometrist or doctor! You can click here to learn more about our exclusive ClearVu Experience and when you’re ready to schedule your family’s yearly eye exams, visit us here or give us a call at (260) 469-3937.

If you’ve recently had exams but are ready for a fresh pair of specs, just stop in at any of our five Fort Wayne locations with your prescription.

We look forward to helping you and your family out this school year!

 

Helpful Hints for Selecting Eyewear

Girl wearing glasses
Now that you’ve scheduled back to school eye exams for the kids – what do you do if they need glasses?
Children’s eyes can change rapidly, so be sure your child has an up-to-date eyeglass prescription for the best possible vision and comfort before investing in new glasses.

There is no shortage of children’s eyeglasses and it’s important to keep factors like fit, quality, and fashion in mind. It can be difficult figuring out which glasses your child will be willing to wear — and if they will last longer than the ride home. Here are some shopping tips to help you choose stylish and durable glasses your child will love.

Choose a modern, attractive style
Eyeglasses have become a staple in the fashion world and kids frames are no exception. Ray-Ban, Candies, Lily Pulitzer, and others offer styles from classic to trendy, perfectly sized, and designed for any cool kid on campus. For a more sporty look, Nike, Oakley, and Puma all offer superior durability along with stylish design. And with a wide range of color options and modern shapes to select from, you can match your team colors in style.
Select the perfect lenses 
Children’s lenses should be made of polycarbonate. These materials are significantly more impact-resistant than other lens materials for added safety. There are a few ways to enhance your look and at the same time protect your eyes. One option is photochromic lenses, which darken automatically in sunlight outdoors in a range of colors to choose from. Another choice is anti-reflective coating, which not only enhances cosmetic appearance (no glare on lenses in those school photos), but they can reduce eye strain caused by digital device use.

Purchase a “backup pair”
Because children can be tough on their glasses, it’s a good idea to purchase a second, or backup, pair of eyeglasses for them — especially for those with a strong prescription who cannot function without his or her glasses.

We would love to see you and share with you what makes us special. With our one-of-a-kind kids package, all-digital eye care experience, exclusive frame designs, and personalized service, we are passionate about providing the best care to allow you to see and be seen!