Caring for Toddlers' Eyes
Those tender toddler eyes aren't just a
welcome window to her personality, they're also crucial to her cognitive
development. Do your part to keep those pretty peepers healthy by following a
few basic steps.
Sometimes they're lit up with energy and other times they're adorably
droopy with drowsiness — either way, you can't take your eyes off your
toddler's eyes. And they're two of her most active body parts — they’re
constantly looking (and learning about) the big world out there. That’s why
it’s essential to keep toddlers' eyes in tip-top shape. Here’s how:
Clean with care. The skin around toddler eyes is extra thin and sensitive, so be extra
gentle with your face-washing routine. Lightly rub — never scrub — around your
toddler's eyes during toddler tub time.
If you notice dried-up residue on your tot’s eyelashes (maybe after the
sandman’s paid a visit), moisten a soft washcloth with lukewarm water and
gently remove the crust. (If necessary, use a dab of no-tears shampoo to help
the process along.)
Make sure check-ups include a toddler eye exam. “Well” visits to the pediatrician are important for a host of reasons,
including keeping an eye on the health of those toddler eyes. Tell your
pediatrician if you notice your child is having difficulty with her eyes —
perhaps she doesn’t seem to see things other people can from the same distance,
or squints frequently, or her eyes look crossed at times. The doctor will take
a look at your toddler's eyes and if necessary, refer you to an ophthalmologist
for a more in-depth exam.
Protect eyes from injury. While child injuries that
damage toddler eyes and eyelids are blessedly rare, prevention is the name of
the game here. If you haven’t already kicked up your efforts of childproofing to the next level, now’s the time to
look around for toddler-height hazards, like sharp corners on your coffee table
or shelves that stick out from the wall. Cushion what you can and conduct a
search-and-remove mission for other potential eye-pokers, like pencils, pens,
sticks, and toys with rods or sharp edges. (These are especially dangerous to
toddlers' eyes in the car and also in spaces where your child might be running
or jumping.) Always keep your tot at a safe distance when you’re mowing the
lawn or working with power tools that create flying debris or dust, and store
household cleaners and other toxic substances out of your toddler’s reach —
many of these can irritate or damage toddlers' eyes on contact.
Shade toddler eyes from the sun. You’re diligent about applying sunscreen to your child’s sensitive skin,
so make sure you protect your toddler's eyes from UV rays as well. Too much sun
can make her squint with discomfort (and could even cause cataracts later).
Shield her peepers with a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap and/or a pair of
(way cool) toddler shades. As with adult sunglasses, look for unbreakable,
scratch-proof lenses that block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays. And
consider a kid-sized sports band to keep her shades in place as she gallops, jumps,
hops, skips…you get the idea.
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