Madison Reporter

As the school year approaches, UW Health Kids is encouraging parents to pay attention to their children’s vision health. August marks Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which aims to highlight the importance of eye care in children’s academic and overall development.

Dr. Yasmin Bradfield, a pediatric ophthalmologist with UW Health Kids and professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, stressed that early detection and treatment of eye conditions can have lasting effects on a child’s vision and growth.

“A child's brain is developing vision from birth up to the age of 6,” said Bradfield. “It is crucial to catch any eye problems at a young age and treat them so that kids can have good vision throughout their lives.”

Bradfield explained that good eyesight is necessary for learning. Children who do not receive treatment for vision issues may face challenges with reading, focus, and performance in class.

Common childhood eye problems such as misalignment or amblyopia (lazy eye), as well as the need for corrective lenses, are often identified during routine screenings. These screenings typically take place during visits with a pediatrician or primary care provider. For children under two years old, specialized photo screening tests can help detect issues early. If concerns are noted, referrals to pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists may be made for further evaluation.

“Parents and teachers should watch for signs such as squinting, eye crossing or complaints of blurry vision,” Bradfield said. “These are all warning signs that a child may need an eye exam.”

With students spending more time on digital devices both in school and at home—an increase that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic—there has been a rise in nearsightedness and digital eye strain among children. Bradfield recommends following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. She also advises turning off screens two hours before bedtime to promote healthy sleep habits.

For student athletes preparing for fall sports, Bradfield highlights the importance of using protective eyewear such as athletic glasses with shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses.

“We see too many preventable sports-related eye injuries,” she said. “Children who play sports, especially contact sports, and do not wear eye protection risk permanent vision loss if they are struck in the eye.”

Outdoor activity also supports children’s visual health by reducing the risk of developing nearsightedness.

“We are still learning why sunlight has a protective effect, but even one hour a day outside can make a difference,” Bradfield added. “There is plenty of good weather left in Wisconsin this year, and we should all enjoy the benefits of sunlight.”