Kids are using more technology on a daily basis than ever before, and although this may be beneficial for learning new things, staring at a screen for hours on end can have adverse effects on eye health. Following this list of precautions from She Knows, you can help prevent vision problems and improve your children’s eye health.
Receive Periodic Eye Exams
From the age of three and onward, kids should receive a comprehensive eye exam every year with an eye doctor to ensure they’re not suffering from any vision problems caused by digital device use. Take note that school screenings alone may fail to notice more serious problems.
Take Breaks
It’s easy to remember when to take breaks when you think of the 20/20/20 rule — every 20 minutes, your kids need to look away from the screen for 20 seconds and stare at something 20 feet away.
Use Sufficient Lighting
Whatever type of device your kids are using, there must be enough adequate lighting in the room, so they can see screens properly. Make sure that lamps shine towards desks and not in your child’s face, and that computer screens are angled to avoid glare from light sources.
Ensure Kids Keep Their Distance
Your child is more likely to suffer from eye strain if he or she holds their face too close to screens. Make sure your children hold devices at least an elbow’s length from their eyes.
Keep Screen Time to a Minimum
Young eyes cannot handle very much screen time. Children above the age of two should spend no more than two hours a day using digital devices and infants should have no screen time at all. One of the best ways to substitute screen time is to play outside. Spending time outdoors benefits all aspects of your child’s physical health, including their eyes. Research has found that outdoor play can reduce the risk of nearsightedness.
Another way to prevent vision problems in your children is to protect their eyes from damaging UV rays. Make sure your children’s eyes are always safe from the sun with a pair of sunglasses from Real Kids.
I really like that you touched on how young kids should avoid a lot of screen time because it hurts their eyes. My son has had some vision issues lately and I want to make sure that he gets this issue fixed soon. We need to find medical professionals to help with this so that he gets the right treatments done.