The eyes are very delicate organs and responsible for sight and vision. Caring for the very sensitive eyes depends on so many factors, like the infants or children themselves and the surroundings. Below are a few tips that can help.
1. Light Management
It is advisable that infants are active in well-illuminated rooms and the light to their eyes well managed. This is because well-lit rooms and places tend to be comfortable for the eyes and help with personal safety.
As they grow older they should watch television from a safe distance of at least three and a half metres. When children play games that require proximity to the eyes, the amount of time spent on it should be limited. Children below two years should have minimal screen time, if they should get at all, while those above two years should have maximum of a few hours a day.
In addition, staring at the computer screen for long hours can lead to eye exhaustion, headaches, uneasiness and hazy images afterwards. Parents and guardians should strive to lead by example around the children in this regard.
2. Proactive Supervision
Infants and young children should be supervised so they do not do things that would harm their eyes, especially during play time. The use of sharp objects like jagged-framed toys, needles and metals can be dangerous. They should be far away from fireworks, chemicals and sprays as well. Asides educating them of the dangers, parents and guardians should put proactive measures in place for the safety of the infants and children.
3. Proper Infant Eye Cleaning
When handling infants, clean hands, clothes, and mild cosmetic product is a priority as they are very susceptible to infections and can be very reactive. A soft cotton washcloth or cotton pad soaked in clean water should be used when cleaning the eyes of infants. The water can be warm, and ensure the cotton pad is squeezed before gentle pressure is applied around the sensitive eyes of infants.
If the infant has an eye infection, extra care is required so it does not spread. If it is just one eye, then a separate bowl, water and cotton wool should be used. Proper infant eye cleaning is important as there is a potential risk of cornea damage in each procedure.
Regular rubbing of the eyes can also lead to spreading of germs and this can cause infections, so any contact with the eyes should be with clean hands and the infants hands should be kept clean at all times.
There are various means through which infants can pick up numerous infections as they are very sensitive. Some can be as a result of their environment and some can be hereditary from child birth due to diseases of the parents, so regular examination by ophthalmologists is advised.
In conclusion, children require proactivity from parents and guardians to help them properly care for their eyes.
