Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/707421
www.FredParent.NET • 17 Sponsored Material Join us August 11 for the live conversation on Do you have questions for ACCESS Eye? We'll be chat- ting with them live on our Facebook page August 11 at 8 pm. Come join the conversations! facebook.com/FredericksburgParent a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: What are the signs my child may need glasses? Signs to look for include squinting, covering an eye, eye rubbing, disinterest in or trouble reading or performing school work. It's important to realize that you may not recognize any signs. That's why regular eye exams are extremely important, not just for visual correction, but also to check the overall eye health. Q: My child loves to play sports. Is it safe for them to wear contacts or glasses? Absolutely. If your child wears glasses, sports goggles are always recommended. The fit is more secure and they come in a variety of options. Certain sports have goggles made specifically for that sport. For example, skiers, snowboarders, swimmers and scuba-divers should have prescription lens goggles made for their sport. Contact lenses are also a great option for sports, but never for swimmers. Contact lenses should always be removed when swimming. Swimming with contacts can result in eye infections, irrita- tion and potential sight-threatening conditions such as a corneal ulcer. The FDA has recommend- ed that contacts not be exposed to ANY type of water, including tap water, swimming pools, oceans, lakes, hot tubs and showers. Q: How can I tell if my child is nearsighted or farsighted? The only way you we can know for sure is to bring them in for an eye exam. Certain behaviors can give clues to whether a child is near or far sighted, but ultimately this needs to be deter- mined by a trained professional who performs a comprehensive eye exam. Q: Any tips on buying sunglasses for kids? The rule that should apply to everyone, adults AND chil- dren is 100% UV protection in your sunglasses. There are a number of eye diseases and conditions caused or aggravated by exposure to UV radia- tion, such as Macular Degeneration. It is caused by damage to the retina over time and is the leading cause of age-related blindness. It's estimated that 10% of all cataract cases are directly attribut- able to UV exposure. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens — the part of the eye that focuses the light we see. UV light, especially UV-B rays, increases your risk for certain types of cata- racts. And of course we're all familiar with the risk of cancer. Skin cancer in and around the eyelids is also linked to prolonged UV exposure. Q: I worry about my child losing or breaking their glasses at recess. Any tips? This is a hard one, since kids will be kids! Most often we hear that glasses are broken when they fall off and are accidently stepped on. In some cases, especially for younger, active chil- dren, sports goggles can work well for daily use. They often have more fitted temples or a strap that prevents the glasses from fall- ing off your child's face. As often as they can remember, it's best that children keep their glasses put away safely in their eyeglass case when they are not being worn. The American Optometric Association recommends that all children have an exam at 6 months, 3 years, before first grade and then every one two years after that. Q: Can my 'tween wear contacts? What is a good age to start wearing them? There's really no set age to begin wear- ing contacts, however, they are a medical device that if not properly cared for can lead to longstanding eye damage. Your child can be fit with contacts only after you and he or she decides they are ready. " "