“Don’t sit so close to the tv or you’ll go blind.” Who remembers this warning parents used to tell their children back in the day? While sitting too close to the television does not actually cause loss of vision, there was actually some wisdom in that advice.
Sitting too close or spending too much time in front of a screen does cause dry eye and eyestrain. With children spending more time in front of screens at home and at school, understanding how they affect their eyesight is important.
Many parents are unaware that using screens in bright spaces increases the strain on children’s eyes. The glare caused by sunlight or other light sources makes the screen even more difficult to see. Therefore, the eyes have to work harder in order to see images. This leads to discomfort and dry eyes from a lack of blinking.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is keeping a close eye (pun intended) on the effects increased screen time have on children, but there are some tips to avoiding them altogether. The best way to avoid eyestrain and dry eye is limiting time children spend viewing screens. Setting a timer near children so they can hear it is an easy way to put a lid on their consumption.
Many devices now have built in parental controls that allow parents to choose a passcode and set limits on the device itself. These controls can have a bit of a learning curve, but a quick Google or YouTube search will provide easy step-by-step instructions for your children’s devices.
Other recommendations include using hard copy books over e-books when given the choice and teaching your children the 20-20-20 rule. This tip is a well-known method for giving your eyes a break, especially when sitting in front of a screen for extended periods of time. The key is to raise your view from the screen to focus on an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes, hence 20-20-20.
Although screen time is currently the most prevalent cause of eyestrain and dry eye for children, there are several other threats to their eye health that can be uncovered through regular checkups by experienced eye doctors like those at Palmetto Eye & Laser Center. Call Palmetto Eye & Laser at 864-583-6381 or use our online contact form to request more information on keeping your children’s eyes healthy and safe.
