Toddlers' and Children's Eyes

While the eye's greatest physical development occurs during the first year of life, your child's eye development continues throughout childhood. Eye muscles strengthen, and nerve connections multiply. You can help this process by supplying plenty of visual stimulation for your child.

The single best way to protect your child's vision is through regular professional eye examinations. Poor eyesight can affect learning ability, athletic performance, and even self-esteem. And about 25 percent of school-age children require some vision correction. Untreated eye conditions can worsen and lead to more serious problems — even blindness.

A balanced diet can make the difference in your child's eyesight.  When meals are rich in vitamins and minerals they help eyes develop in a healthy way. While selections from all four food groups are important in everyone’s daily menu, some foods offer nutrients that boost eye health— be sure your child is getting enough antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and E as well as Lutein and omega-3 fatty acids.

While most accidents happen at home, that doesn't mean you can relax when you leave the house. Eye safety is important at all times.  It is not easy to judge the extent or severity of any eye injury so if your child's eye is injured, know your first aid and get immediate, professional medical attention.

To us, looking at something seems like a simple process. But the eye is an extremely complex organ, relying on an intricate interconnection of signals. Discover how it works.