Posted on: Nov 08, 2024 by Author: Abasa Optical in Eye Health
Are you concerned about how screen time affects your child’s eye health? With the increasing use of digital devices, many children spend more time on screens than ever. This growing trend can negatively affect their health, leading to poor eye development and digital eye strain. Parents must be aware of the potential effects of excessive screen time and take proactive steps to protect their child’s vision.
One of the best ways to address these concerns is to schedule an eye exam for your child with Abasa Optical in Surrey. A professional eye exam can help identify any emerging issues early on and guide you on reducing screen time’s impact on your child’s eyes. Your eye doctor can offer valuable advice on managing screen time, including tips for reducing strain and ensuring your child’s vision develops healthily. Early prevention is critical to maintaining good eye health for years.
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ToggleIf you’re worried about the effects of screen time on your child’s eyes, book an appointment with your eye doctor today to discuss preventive measures and potential treatment options.
0-24 months: It’s best to avoid screens entirely during your child’s growth stage. However, if video calls are necessary for your child’s social connections, a minimal screen time can be acceptable.
2-5 years: At this age, children should have no more than one hour of supervised screen time per day. This ensures they still get enough physical activity and other forms of learning.
5-18 years: Screen time guidelines for school-aged kids become more complex. The amount of screen time they need can depend on their education style, development, and individual needs, especially as some screen use may be required for schoolwork.
Spending too much time in front of screens can expose your eyes to harmful blue light and lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, and eye discomfort, which can be detected through a simple test. Excessive screen time can also reduce melatonin production—the hormone that helps regulate sleep—leading to fatigue and ongoing stress.
Prolonged screen use can cause eye problems that affect health, daily performance, and job satisfaction. By cutting down on screen time, you can protect your eyes and improve overall well-being.
When your child spends long hours looking at digital screens, their eyes must work harder, especially if the screen is too bright, big, or close. Kids often don’t follow the guidelines for healthy screen donating them at greater risk for the following vision issues:
Staring at a screen or any object at a fixed distance for too long can weaken the eye’s focusing ability, leading to blurry vision. Eyeing excessive time on close-up activities, like watching TV or using a computer, can also increase the risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness). Blurry vision can interfere with daily activities and lead to more severe vision problems if not addressed.
Extended use of digital devices demands a lot of focus, which can cause eye fatigue if breaks aren’t taken. Digital eye strain often leads to parents like eye discomfort, headaches, and sometimes blurry vision after looking away from the screen.
Dry or irritated eyes occur when the eyes don’t get enough moisture, often due to reduced bonding while staring at a screen. Research shows that screen use significantly reduces our blink rate, which can lead to dry, uncomfortable eyes over time.
If your child is showing any of these symptoms after screen time, they could be experiencing a screen-related vision problem:
Kids often don’t notice vision issues while busy with a screen. That’s why parents need to monitor screen time and ensure regular breaks. Try following the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, have your child take a 20-second break and focus on something at least 20 feet away.
When using screens, blinking tends to decrease, leading to dry or irritated eyes. If left unchecked, this could cause more severe eye issues over time. A simple reminder to blink can make a big difference in preventing dry eye syndrome. You can even turn it into a fun game to help your child remember.
Keeping screens at a safe distance is essential for your child’s eye health. Aim to have mobile devices held at least one foot away, laptops or desktops at two feet, and TV screens at about 10 feet. Additionally, ensure the room is well-lit to avoid glare, adjust the font size, and increase the screen brightness to reduce eye strain.
Since your child’s vision and overall growth change so quickly, scheduling routine eye exams is one of the best ways to protect their eye health. It’s recommended that children have their first eye exam at six months old and continue with yearly check-ups after that.
Book an appointment with Abasa Opticals today if you’re worried about screen-related issues like digital eye strain. Our eye doctor can guide your child’s eye health, answer questions, and recommend options like computer eye strain treatment in Surrey to help keep their vision healthy.
In today’s digital age, avoiding screen time altogether is almost impossible, but taking the proper steps can make all the difference for your child’s eye health. From setting healthy screen habits to scheduling routine eye exams, you have the power to protect their vision. If your child is already experiencing symptoms, early intervention is key. Explore options like digital eye strain treatment in Surrey to ensure your child’s eyes stay healthy, even in a screen-filled world. Taking action today can help pave the way for a future with a clear, comfortable vision.
Excessive screen time can lead to several eye issues, such as digital eye strain, blurry vision, and fatigue. It can also increase the risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness) and cause dry or irritated eyes due to reduced blinking.
Common symptoms include sore, tired, or burning eyes, headaches, blurry vision, and increased sensitivity to light. If your child complains of any of these after using a screen, scheduling an eye exam is a good idea.
It’s recommended that children have their first eye exam at 6 months, then at age 3, and yearly after that. Regular eye exams help catch and address vision problems early, especially with increasing screen time.
You can limit screen time, encourage frequent breaks using the 20/20/20 rule, and ensure your child maintains a safe distance from screens. Remind your child to blink often, and consider consulting an eye doctor for further preventive tips or treatment options.
Digital eye strain treatment in Surrey can help manage and relieve your child’s symptoms. It’s essential to consult an eye doctor who can assess your child’s needs and recommend the best action to protect their vision.
If there is one thing you can expect when you visit Abasa Optical, it’s that we love eyeglasses! Getting to help you style and fit your frames isn’t just our job; it’s our passion. And we’ve developed a keen eye to know when a pair of glasses look great on you.
We keep our ears on the ground for all the latest styles and trends, looking for high-quality frames and lenses from distinguished designers from all over the world, including Italy, France, Slovenia, and beyond.
But that’s not all. We also offer on-site eye exams thanks to the wonderful Dr. Rohit Sachdeva and his on-site practice at Hillcrest Village Optometry.
So if you’re looking for the complete eyewear experience, look no further than Abasa Optical.
18730 Fraser Hwy #202 Surrey, BC V3S 7Y4
Phone: 604-575-9141
Email: shirin@abasaoptical.ca