Get Fit For Great Eyes

Tan See Keen fills us in on tips and ideas on how you can care for children’s eyes

How Do You Motivate Your Children To Take Care Of Their Eyes?


When the children were young, I tried to make eye care fun and exciting. For example, knowing that the consumption of carrots would help improve dim-light vision in people with vitamin A deficiency, I would motivate the children to eat such foods by saying that it helped them to see better in the dark. That very same night after dinner, we would play a game. We would turn off the lights, and have fun trying to see and communicate with one another in the dark. When the children were older, I would explain the consequences of poor eye care, such as the inconvenience of having to put on glasses. That seemed to be the best deterrent.

How Do You Help Them Form The Habit Of caring For Their Eyes?

Proper eye care has been taught explicitly and reinforced from young, so it has become a natural practice for the children. Being a stay home mother, I constantly monitor and supervise them. This also helps to correct lapses on the spot.

How Long Did You Take To Get Them To Acquire The Habit?

It did not take long. When the children are taught proper eye care from a young age, they take to these habits quite quickly and easily.

Encourage Kids To Take Good Care Of Their Eyes With These Tips

  • Read a book always sitting up and not lying down. Place the book a distance away.
  • Ensure sufficient reading light.
  • Sit at least 2 m away from TV.
  • Take regular eye breaks during a prolonged activity like studying.
  • Look out of the window from time to time and enjoy the view.
  • Limit computer time to half an hour per activity. Minimise playing electronic games.
  • Have regular outdoor play.
  • Keep kids’ rooms free of dust and dirt to prevent eye-irritation.
  • Eat a balanced diet.

For more information about eyecare, go to www.hpb.gov.sg/eyecare