www.phs.org/Medicaid 7 Right from the start, babies use their eyes to explore and learn. But their vision is still developing through the teen years. Here are some of the ways their vision develops as they grow: Helping kids have healthy vision If you want to know more about protecting your eye health, make an appointment with your eye care provider. Please note: If you use the treatments and preventive methods mentioned above and your symptoms don’t improve, contact your eye care provider. To learn more, visit www.versanthealth.com/ welcome. Many conditions that cause dry eyes can also result in itchy eyes. If you wear contacts, your eyes might feel gritty or stuck. In addition to using lubricating eye drops and ointments, there are other steps you can take to reduce itchy eyes. • Stay hydrated. It’s crucial year-round to make sure you drink plenty of water. This is important during the winter months since the drop in temperature lowers humidity. • Eat foods that are rich in omega3s, which promote healthy tear production. Our eyes naturally make tears not only to keep them moist but also to wash away irritants. Tears protect your eyes from your environment, including the cold winter temperatures. This causes some people to make too many tears. This can lead to watery, uncomfortable eyes in the winter. • Wear goggles to protect your eyes from the cold winter weather. • Wear sunglasses to help reduce the irritation that leads to watery eyes. Soothe itchy eyes Protect watery eyes from the cold You can help your child develop good vision skills by offering toys (like building blocks) that support hand‑eye coordination, playing catch or rolling a ball, and encouraging drawing. It’s also important to watch for signs of vision problems. For example, if your child has trouble seeing, they may: • Tilt their head to look at things • Blink, squint, or rub their eyes • Avoid activities that require up-close vision Uncorrected vision problems can affect a child’s school performance and overall well‑being. Kids need regular vision checks Routine eye health screenings can typically be done by your child’s regular healthcare provider. An ophthalmologist may need to do a comprehensive dilated eye exam if a screening shows a possible problem or if your child has certain risk factors. In general, kids should have their eyes checked when they’re: • 6 to 12 months old • 12 to 36 months old • 3 to 5 years old • Every one to two years after age 5 These exams can help find and correct problems early, including nearsightedness (trouble seeing distant objects), farsightedness (trouble seeing up close), and misaligned eyes. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, talk to your child’s provider. 2 to 3 months. They begin using both eyes together. 3 months. They can focus on and track nearby moving objects. 4 months. They see colors better. 6 months. They can notice differences between objects. 3 years. They can often see about as well as adults.
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