Real Kids Shades mission is to protect young eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays and help you keep your kids’ eyes and vision in excellent shape. Perhaps that’s why March is one of our favorite months, as it is “Save Your Vision Month.”
We’ve recently shared about the importance of scheduling annual eye exams for your kids (and yourself!) and how necessary protective eyewear is for kids at play. But Save Your Vision Month 2013 is focused on another area that’s becoming of increased concern when it comes to our vision – computer vision syndrome.
Computer vision syndrome is defined by the American Optometric Association (AOA) as “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experience during or related to computer use.” It’s becoming more common as our society continues to be technology-driven, with computer, iPads, iPhones, and other similar devices being used for long periods of time each day.
Using the computer for a long period of time can cause a myriad of problems like headaches and neck pain, but vision problems are the most common complaint of those who frequently use these devices. To combat issues such as blurred vision and dry eyes, the AOA offers some helpful suggestions:
- Use the 20-20-20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, give your eyes a 20-second rest by looking at something that’s 20 feet away.
- Adjust Font Sizes – When using a hand-held device, increase the font size rather than bringing the device closer to your face to read what’s on the screen.
- Decrease Glare – Eliminating as much glare as possible can ease reading, and can sometimes “make a bigger difference than increasing the font.”
- Proper Workstation Setup – The AOA offers a helpful guide for making sure your workstation is set up for comfortable use.
Whether you and your kids are working on a homework assignment, enjoying a movie, or playing a game, don’t forget to establish healthy habits for computer use. You can find more tips in this press release from the AOA.
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Image courtesy of Naypong /FreeDigitalPhotos.net