Back-to-school often means a lot of screen time, whether your child is writing an essay on a laptop, playing an educational video game or studying with a friend on a cell phone.
Unfortunately, even a few hours of screen time can cause digital eye strain, an increasingly common eye condition among kids and adults who use digital devices.
At Professional VisionCare, we help treat digital eye strain and educate parents on the best ways to prevent the condition altogether.
Digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome, is a condition that causes eye discomfort and other symptoms caused by screen use.
Typical symptoms of digital eye strain include:
When it comes to screen time and eye health, 20 is the magic number.
Every 20 minutes or so, remind your child to shift their gaze to an object that’s at least 20 feet away, for roughly 20 seconds. This will allow their eyes to relax and reset.
Hunching over a tablet, phone or computer screen can leave your child feeling stiff and sore. Stretching the muscles of their back, neck, shoulders and eyes can relieve tension and ward off the uncomfortable symptoms of digital eye strain.
To relieve neck tension, ask your child to sit or stand up straight and gently tilt their chin toward their chest, and then gently tilt their head toward their right and left shoulders.
To relieve eye strain, have them sit up straight, look downwards, and roll their eyes toward the sky in one direction, then the other. They can repeat this eye stretch as needed.
Here are some guidelines to stick with when your child is engaging in screen time:
Whether or not your child regularly uses a digital device, keeping their eyes and vision healthy is crucial for their development and academic success.
At Professional VisionCare in Lewis Center, we offer top-notch pediatric eye care from routine eye exams to contact lens consultations and more.
Start your child off on the right foot this academic year, and schedule their yearly eye exam today!
Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses. Visit Professional VisionCare for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.