There are a lot of changes occurring in the body during adolescence, both related to puberty and the developing eye. It’s an important time for teens and their parents to discuss eye health and vision protection to establish the foundation for healthy habits. If you’ve been tuning into our blog, you may have already learned about how blue light is affecting your teen’s vision and have some insight into the three common eye health concerns for teens. In today’s post, we’d like to continue the conversation on adolescent eye health and establishing healthy behaviors that your teen can carry into adulthood.
Contact Care and Hygiene
Caring for contacts can be difficult for teens and adults alike to adhere to, but establishing good habits early will encourage better eye hygiene throughout life. Contacts should always be cared for by following the manufacturer guidelines that accompany the contact prescription. As a general rule of thumb, always store contact lenses in a clean storage container and replace your contact cleanser daily. Wash hands before and after touching contact lenses and eyes to prevent contamination or the spread of infection.
Makeup and Hair Safety
Hairspray, hair dye, eyeliner, mascara, and other beauty products that teens use can cause concern in adolescent eye health. A few tips to make these products safer include using bathroom ventilation or fans while using hairspray or hair dye, wash hands before touching eyes, don’t use products inside the eye, replace makeup brushes and mascara every 90 days, and put contact lenses in after finishing hair and makeup. It’s always a good idea to avoid glitter and eyelash extension glue.
Eyewear Prescriptions
Teens should be educated about wearing their own prescription eyewear and wearing it properly. If your teen has vision problems, ensure they are attending regular eye exam appointments to reevaluate vision and eyewear prescription. Adolescents should never borrow someone else’s prescription eyewear, nor should they wear non-prescription eyewear as a fashion statement. Remember to set good habits about putting their glasses back in the same spot each day so they don’t lose them. A good rule of thumb is “On the face or in the case!”
SmartPhone Use
Teens and their smartphones tend to be inseparable. It seems life is lived through little screens these days. Talk to your teen about limiting screen time, or at least taking eye breaks and using filters that help reduce the amount of blue light they are exposed to. Discuss screen brightness and the disruption of sleep when browsing before bed. Using blue-light-blocking glasses or Blue Light Defender vitamins can help reduce the impact of blue light on teen’s vision.
Nutrition and Supplements
The importance of nutrition in overall wellness and eye health cannot be overstated. A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients can support the developing eye and vision. A daily eye supplement can help ensure your eyes are getting optimal nourishment. Talk to your teen about implementing an eye vitamin into their daily routine.
Other factors that may affect your teen’s health include exercise, sleep habits, computer usage, and hereditary eye concerns. The best way to promote optimal eye health in your teen is to have discussions and educate them. For the support you and your teen need, visit our blog for more information and browse all of our eye supplements today.
