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Expert Q&A:
How should I handle my 3-year-old's sensitivity to light?

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Linda Jonides
Answered by Linda Jonides R.N., C.P.N.P.
"I have worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner (P.N.P.) for over 30 years," says Linda Jonides. "I continue to thoroughly enjoy forming new relationships with parents and newborns and working with them through infancy, childhood, and adolescence."

Linda Jonides is a pediatric nurse practitioner in a private pediatric practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She received her Diploma in Nursing and Certificate as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is a past recipient of the Michigan PNP of the Year Award. She has a B.S. in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University. She has published articles and lectured on childhood obesity, infant colic, role of the P.N.P., growth and development issues, and infectious diseases. She was an author of "Clinical Insights Column," published biannually in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care for nine years. Jonides is past president of NAPNAP. Currently, she is a steering group work member of NAPNAP's HEAT (healthy eating and activity together) project. One outcome of this group's work is the clinical practice guideline, "Identifying and Preventing Overweight in Childhood," that was published as a supplement to the March/April '06 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care.

Ms. Jonides has been married to John, a university professor, since 1971.
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Question


My 3-year-old son covers his eyes and complains that it is too bright when I turn on the lights in the house or when we go out on a bright, sunny day.

Answer


  It is not uncommon for a child to be sensitive to light, just as some children and adults are more sensitive to sounds. We all respond to our surroundings differently. When you're indoors, your son probably chooses to sit or play where the light is more comfortable for him, and that is fine. For outdoor use, many experts do suggest sunglasses for children, even infants, to minimize exposure to the harmful rays of the sunlight on their eyes. Many children will actually keep the sunglasses on in the house because the lighting is then more comfortable for them.

Be sure to get sunglasses that fit comfortably, and nonbreakable ones of course. If your son refuses to wear the sunglasses, try having him wear a hat with a wide brim. Some children get quite attached to their hats and won't go outside without them. Good luck!

 

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