Eye Care Timeline: Ages 3-19

Your child’s physician will continue to screen your child’s eyes during regular check-ups every one to two years and your child may already be seeing an ophthalmologist for continuing vision correction or treatment of a disease or condition. Be sure to alert your doctor if you notice sudden redness or swelling, unequal pupils or a drooping eyelid.

For more information about eye health information for Babies, Children and Teenagers and answers to other questions about eye health for Babies, Children and Teenagers, please click here.

Childhood is a particularly hazardous time for injuries to the eye.

For children and teenagers participating in sports, make sure your children use appropriate protective eyewear. Baseball is the number one cause of sports-related injuries in the 5- to 14-year-old age group. More information about protective eyewear for sports.

Chemicals and Sprays Household Items

Keep all chemicals and sprays, such as cleaning fluids, securely out of reach of young children.

Be sure you supervise your young children handle potentially dangerous items, including pencils, scissors, forks and knives.

Be aware that the most common household items (paper clips, coat hangers, fish hooks, rubber bands, etc.) can cause serious eye injury.

Projectiles BB Guns

Avoid or impose extra rules and supervision on projectile toys, such as darts, bows and arrows, rocket launchers, etc.

Never allow your children to play with non-powder rifles, pellet guns or BB guns. They are extremely dangerous and have been reclassified as firearms and removed from toy departments.