Kathy Buckworth, an award-winning author and parenting expert, knows a thing or two about good eye care — both she and three of her children have vision impairments. She understands the importance of regular visits to the eye doctor that allow the family to see and be in the moment.

Investing in yourself

As parents, it’s easy to get so invested in your child’s health that you neglect your own. Though most do not know the name, many suffer from presbyopia — a gradual loss in the ability to see objects close up, typically noticed after age 40. Warning signs include trouble reading menus, newspapers, or mobile devices. Juggling the everyday tasks of parenting is exhausting, but having to do it while constantly searching for and putting on a pair of reading glasses is nearly impossible.

Diagnosed at a young age with myopia, Kathy struggled with seeing distant objects clearly, and contact lenses were an essential part of her life at home and at work.  “I’ve worn contacts for 30 years, but recently I started struggling with my vision close up.”

Tired of wearing readers, she made the switch to multifocal contact lenses. “ALCON® MULTIFOCAL contact lenses allow me to see everything clearly and give me the all-day comfort I need to get through my day because of the convenience and comfort they provide. My daughter got married recently and I didn’t have to think about my eyes at all — from the moment I put them in until I took them out at the end of the day.”

Buckworth, who travels frequently, appreciates not having to worry about bringing lens solution through airport security, and says “ALCON® MULTIFOCAL lenses have outstanding moisture and keep my eyes from feeling dry on the plane and during the long hours on the road.”

Eye care for the entire family

For active adults and millennials, contact lenses provide the freedom to go through the day’s activities without the pressure of glasses on the end of your nose.

“When my children were young, glasses were always a burden. My daughter, in particular, constantly fussed with them, taking them off to clean them, and they were a nuisance when they were playing sports,” says Kathy.

“My eldest daughter has been a contact lens wearer for 11 years. She made the transition when she was 15 and has never looked back.”

All children have different lifestyles, which is why it is important to find the right eye care solution to meet their individual needs.

Kathy’s teenage daughter tried regular contacts but she was uncomfortable putting them into her eyes. “My daughter is very active in sports, and if she can use ALCON® DAILIES® contacts she won’t have to worry about breaking her glasses or finding a pair that will fit with a hockey helmet or ski goggles,” says Kathy. “When she’s ready to make the switch, I’ll be there to support her.”

How to ensure your kids are seeing it all

It is recommended by the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) that infants receive their first eye exam between the age of six and nine months.

Preschoolers should receive another visit between the ages of two and five, and children over six should visit an eye care professional annually.

According to the CAO, one in four school-aged children has an undetected vision problem that is affecting their learning.

“It’s critical that parents look for cues that their children may have vision issues. Your children may not instinctively know something is wrong with their eyes,” says Buckworth. “Are they having trouble reading notes on the board at school? Are they tripping over things, or squinting, or falling behind in school? These are signs parents should look out for, and consider having their children’s eyes tested.”

May is Vision Health Month, which is a great reminder that we need to be proactive about our eye health and speak to an eye care professional.

“It’s important for you and your family to see an eye care professional. Our eye health will change over time, and we need to stay on top of things,” says Buckworth.