It’s summertime and the kids are getting a nice break from school. But, that free time unfortunately often leads to excessive screen time. If they are wasting their time staring at a phone screen instead of spending quality time outdoors or with friends, it can have a lasting effect – not just on their social skills, but also on their vision.
The Effect of Screen Time on Vision
When a child uses a digital device, they are often focusing on images that are close up for an extended period of time. This constant concentration can put added stress on the eyes and can lead to a condition known as digital eye strain. Some common symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Tired or sore eyes
- Blurry vision
- Frequent headaches
- Dry or watery eyes
- Difficulty focusing
The Link Between Digital Screen Time and Nearsightedness
In addition to the symptoms provided above, there is an even bigger concern for kids using digital devices. Excessive screen time, combined with less time outdoors in the natural sunlight, can have detrimental effects. In fact, kids that spend even one hour per on day on a digital screen see an increased risk of developing myopia, or nearsightedness. And, that risk continues to rise with each additional hour of screen time.
It is not always avoidable, especially with the rise in screen use in the classroom, but parents that limit screen time during the summer months can help protect their child’s vision now, as well as decrease the risk of developing serious eye conditions that are linked to myopia later in life.
Healthy Habits for Screen Time
Some screen time is necessary, and is to be expected even during summer. But luckily, there are some ways to minimize the negative effects of digital screens.
- Every 20 minutes, make sure to look at something that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This is appropriately called the 20-20-20 rule, and it helps the focusing muscles in the eyes relax.
- Keep phones and tablets about 18 inches away from your eyes, and keep computer monitors about an arm’s length away in order to maintain a healthy viewing distance.
- Avoid digital screens before bedtime, as blue light can affect the quality of sleep as well as eye comfort.
- Blinking is essential because it spreads tears across the surface of the eyes, keeping them from becoming dry and irritated, and reducing burning, redness and blurry vision.
Maintain your Child’s Healthy Vision at Family Vision Development Center
Regular visits for comprehensive eye exams with our team can go a long way in protecting your child’s vision now and into the future. Vision exams allow us to fully evaluate the way your child’s eyes work together as a team, along with their focusing ability and overall eye health. With regular visits, we can quickly determine when a new issue arises, which allows us to more effectively treat any problems that may interfere with their daily activities, such as school, sports or social interactions. Contact us today at 630-862-2020 to learn more about our practice or to schedule an appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.