It is often found that swimming has tremendous health benefits. At Life Saver Pool Fence, we absolutely agree. That said, there are some potential hazards to consider beyond drowning danger. Since August is National Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, let’s talk about how we can keep our vision safe while we’re in the water.
What is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month?
Each August, special attention is paid to the prevention of blindness and other eye-related injuries. In the United States, Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month aims to raise awareness about protecting children’s eyes.
On the whole, eye health and keen vision are essential for young children’s physical and cognitive development. According to statistics, one out of 20 children between the ages of three and five has a serious eye problem. If these problems aren’t closely monitored and treated, it could result in permanent vision damage or even blindness.
Unfortunately, many kids may not be able to explain or even understand their own eye health. Routine eye screening is crucial to identify if children suffer from eye disease. For this reason, this month is dedicated to helping parents and guardians stay on top of these issues, both in and out of the pool.
Children’s Eye Health and Pool Safety
Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month is a noble cause – but what does this have to do with pool safety? The answer is: plenty. Beyond regular checkups at the optometrist, it is crucial that your pool water remains crystal clear and properly treated.
Besides dirt and debris, an imbalance of pool chemicals can lead to eye injury. Chlorine and similar chemicals are great for treating the water. This can eliminate potential germs and other nasty microbes lurking under the surface. However, caring for a pool is a delicate and precise balance. Adding too many or too few chemicals to the water can irritate the eyes, potentially leading to injury. This can be easily measured with pool water test strips. Typically, these strips evaluate chlorine, pH, and acidity levels in your pool water.
Believe it or not, it is quite possible for chlorine to hurt your eyes. This often happens when the chemical dries your eyes out too much. You see, a person’s eyes are covered with a thin layer of tears, often called tear film. This film works to protect and keep our eyes moist. If this protective barrier is broken down by chlorine, it can leave our eyes dry and exposed.
Most pools should have about four ppm of chlorine. Of course, your pool may require different measurements. Be sure to consult a pool water professional to learn about your unique pool settings.
To learn more, read our detailed blog post about how chlorine can potentially hurt the eyes.
Preventing Eye Danger in the Pool
Overall, there are steps we can all take to protect our eye health in the water. The first is to take frequent breaks. The less time a child or adult spends in the water, the more of a rest the eyes and tear film will get. Besides that, a rest offers an excellent chance to drink some water and relax those muscles, limiting the risk of fatigue.
Another simple solution is to wear goggles, which greatly reduce the amount of chlorine that the eyes come into contact with. Of course, just be sure to rinse and clean these goggles between each use.
Awareness and Beyond
There are many facets of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Besides our advice on general pool safety, a visit to the optometrist might be quite helpful. A medical professional can assess any damage and offer sound advice based on your child’s unique case. As always, it pays to be informed.
