Caring for Your Eyes

Teens - Ages 13 to 19

Vision usually stabilizes during the late teens, with few changes until about age 40. Nonetheless, teens should have a comprehensive eye examination every two years to ensure that visual acuity and eye health are in good shape.

Protective eyewear is a must.

More than half of all accidents resulting in eye injuries happen to persons under age 25, and many of these injuries occur during sports or recreational activities. In sports such as hockey, lacrosse, and baseball, helmets with polycarbonate face masks or wire shields should be worn. Teens as well as adults should use UV-protective goggles or glasses when skiing, and it's a good idea to wear polycarbonate goggles when playing basketball, racquetball, tennis, or soccer. Boxing carries a high risk of serious eye injury; unfortunately, no adequate eye protection is available.

In school, protective goggles should always be worn during science experiments and during procedures such as drilling or sawing in shop class.

Eye ailments can accompany computer use.

Because computer use is becoming a regular part of teens' lives, associated eye problems are increasingly common. The frequent use of video display terminals (VDTs) often translates to eye strain, fatigue, and irritation as well as blurred or double vision. Tired, itchy, watering eyes are another typical complaint. To help ease these symptoms, a few computer-related adjustments may be in order:

• Is too much glare increasing eye fatigue? A glare-reduction screen can enhance contrast and make letters easier to read.
• Are the computer components positioned at an unnatural angle? The computer screen should be at least four inches below eye level, and the monitor should be tiltable. The keyboard should be on an adjustable table for comfort.
• Does bright sunlight in the computer room cause squinting and eye strain? Window shades or blinds can give eyes a chance to relax.

Sunglasses are very important.

When outdoors, everyone should wear sunglasses that protect the eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays. Those harmful rays can spark cataracts and macular degeneration, which can destroy vision. To guard against undue eye problems, wear sunglasses that block 99 percent to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to read the labels when purchasing sunglasses. Just because they look "hot" doesn't necessarily mean they protect against harmful radiation. Sunglasses carrying the American Optometric Association's Seal of Acceptance are a good choice to ensure that sunglasses provide protection from the sun.