5 back-to-school tips

Thursday, 26 August 2021 by Vision Direct

It’s back-to-school time, and suddenly and there’s so much to get sorted. From gathering supplies and picking after-school activities to arranging lift clubs and seeking out lunchbox inspiration, you’ve understandably got a lot on your plate. To help make the return as smooth as possible, we’ve done our homework and assembled some A+ advice, with some extra eye care tips, of course!

Young boy having an eye test

Book your child an eye test

The NHS advises that anyone under 16 should have an eye test every year, as children's eyesight develops quickly. It's a good idea to schedule your child's annual check-up when school resumes, ensuring that their prescription is up to date. We've partnered with top-notch optician David Clulow to offer you a two-service, premium eye health package for half the price. You get a thorough eye test for children and a contact lens check-up worth £50 for just £25 - that's how much most high street opticians charge for a standard eye test, so you get to save big, too.

Our in-house eye care professionals recommend contact lenses for kids, as they're a safer and more comfortable way of helping them make the most of any activity - just reach out to your optician first.

Organisation is key

Following the summer holidays, there's no doubt that your diary will start to fill up in a flash. Making use of either a physical or virtual planner can help you stay on top of things, including after-school activities, upcoming tests or projects, and other important appointments. By keeping a calendar in the kitchen, the whole family can also note down their priorities and key dates throughout the week, so there's no unnecessary faffing or forgetting. At Vision Direct, we don't want the task of reordering your lenses to take up any more space on your to-do list, which is why we offer a free nifty reminder service. When it's time for new lenses, we'll just pop you over a text or email, and you can reorder for next day delivery on the spot, easy-peasy.

Mother helping daughter pack her school bag

Healthy eating habits

We hate to state the obvious by emphasising the importance of having a nutrient-rich diet - but there's never been a better time to up your child's intake of foods for eye health. You can help them boost their immune system and fight off any eye conditions by making sure they get plenty of vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and proteins to grow.

We're talking about leafy greens, high in nutrients, like spinach, kale and broccoli, portions of fresh fish, including tuna, sardines and salmon, along with berries, oranges and mango for a mega-boost of antioxidants. Forget soggy peanut butter sandwiches and cereal bars! Packed lunches provide a perfect opportunity to add many of these options to their daily diet. A simple search online will lead to loads of fun ideas and recipes to perk things up, too.

Stick to a sleeping schedule

If you're wondering how to sleep better, putting in place a regular evening routine can make all the difference to your family's mood, productivity and overall well being. A good start is to encourage everyone to wind down after dinner and limit screen usage before your child goes to bed. The extended blue light exposure from their phone, laptop or iPad can cause digital eye strain and uncomfortably dry eyes. Plus, it can stop the natural production of melatonin (the hormone that makes you sleepy) leaving your child feeling unrested and grumpy by breakfast. It's essential that your child avoids sleeping with contact lenses if they wear them, taking them out before washing their face and nodding off. Daily disposable lenses are especially convenient, as your child can just remove them, and throw them away, without cleaning, or storing them correctly - another thing that you won't have to worry about!

Keep up hand hygiene

Hand hygiene has become extremely vital in terms of protecting ourselves and others. And now, with your child returning to school after the holidays, keeping it up is a no-brainer. If your child wears contact lenses, they have to be even more careful when it comes to touching their eyes, or the removal and application processes. Dirty hands can result in a dirty lens, which in some cases, might lead to a nasty eye infection that nobody wants to deal with. The top 2 things to remember when it comes to hand washing and lenses are to wash your hands for 20 seconds with clean, warm water and dry them thoroughly with a lint-free towel. Vision Direct Soap Sheets are an excellent and eco-friendly addition to every school bag. These sheets can be used when your child doesn't have any soap or sanitiser nearby and needs to disinfect their hands, pronto.

everclear ELITE product box

Try everclear ELITE

Get back into the swing of things, fuss-free with the convenience and comfort of everclear ELITE, our bestselling dailies. Suitable for you and your child, these lenses can help you maximise every moment with their ultra-hydrating formula that locks in moisture for up to 12 hours. Made with a breathable silicone hydrogel material, everclear ELITE is designed to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy all day. Plus, UV blocking offers an extra layer of defence against harmful sun rays on the playground and beyond.

Discover everclear ELITE

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