IN Sewickley Winter 2017 | Page 25

HEALTH & WELLNESS SPEC IA L SECTION • Put the right nutrients into your body. It’s important to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs on the inside for radiant skin on the outside. This includes lots of water! • Take cover when heading outside. SPF shouldn’t be skipped at this age either and should be applied daily. Try adding a hat and cover your skin to prevent overexposure to the harmful rays of the sun, even in the cooler months. • Find a good retinoid. Derived from vitamin-A, retinoids boost collagen production in the skin to stimulate blood vessels and unclog pores. SEEING INTO THE FUTURE Twenty-first century children will be looking beyond genetics as a cause for needing corrective eyewear, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). In the Digital Age, children are exposed to electronic devices their whole lives as an integral part of social and educational practices. Teachers are continu ing to increase the amount of digital technology used in the classroom, and it is expected that computer simulations will account for much of the learning style in the future. Both teachers and parents are finding that children are adapting well to the use of technology in the classroom, making learning more interactive and current than most textbook learning. The AOA’s 2015 American Eye-Q® survey states that 41 percent of parents say their kids spend three or more hours per day using digital devices, and 66 percent of kids have their own smartphone or tablet. As technology becomes more of an essential part of modern life, it is important for parents to find balance in their children’s digital usage. Electronic devices, including televisions, give off blue and violet light that may affect vision by causing eyestrain and discomfort. If your child has to do homework using the computer or tablet, keep the television off during dinnertime and instead Continued on next page > Sewickley | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 23