In today’s digital era, children are spending almost all of their time in front of screens. Be it online learning, gaming, watching videos, or chatting with friends, screens have become an unavoidable part of their lives today. Technology has its benefits but on the other hand, this is increasing screen time for children today. The increasing digital addiction is damaging your child’s eye at an alarming rate. So, how do you keep their vision healthy? In this post, we will explore the best ways to maintain eye health of kids. So, keep reading! 

Why Excessive Screen Time Can Harm Kid’s Eyes

During the initial years of their life, children’s eyes are still undergoing development. It makes them more sensitive to external factors such as blue light emitted from the screen. Studies have proven that increased exposure to the ‘blue light’ can cause a condition known as Digital Eyes Strain or Computer Vision Syndrome. The following are the identified symptoms of this condition: 

• Tired and dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Acute migraine or headache
• Inability to focus on distant objects
• Neck and shoulder pain due to poor posture

Long-term overuse of digital devices can also increase the risk of myopia (short-sightedness). Myopia has been an increasing concern among today’s children. 

Key Signs of Eye Strain in Children

Since younger kids might not always communicate discomfort clearly, here are some signs to look out for if you want to take action early. As a parent, if you feel your child does not always communicate clearly, look out for the following signs:

• Frequent rubbing of eyes.
• Complaints of headaches and nausea.
• Squinting or frowning while looking down at screens.
• Sitting too close or having digital objects closer to the eyes.
• Short attention span in screen use.
• Avoiding tasks that require visual concentration.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, seek medical advice as soon as possible. 

How Much Screen Time is Safe?

In today’s digital era, almost every parent thinks about this once in a while. Of course, there isn’t a correct answer that would be correct for all age groups; so, here’s an idea:

• Under 2 Years: Avoid screen time in totality.
• Between 2 to 5 Years: Limit use to 1 or 2 hours per day.
• 6 Years Onwards: Set consistent limits (2 to 4 hours) that do not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or other healthy habits.

Some Tips to Protect Your Child’s Vision

A proper balance between screen time and real life is necessary for children. Here are some of the best practices to avoid eye damage in children:

• The 20-20-20 Rule: Your child must take a break every 20 minutes by looking 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This reduces strain and helps relax the eye muscles, thereby causing less harm.
• Outdoor Activity: Spending time outdoors in natural light has been shown to reduce the risk of myopia in all age groups of children. Therefore, children should include outdoor activities for at least one to two hours a day.
• Distant Screen: Ensure that screens are kept at arm’s length, and positioned slightly below eye level. Holding devices too close forces the eyes to work harder.
• Screen Settings: Reduce screen brightness to match the room lighting and use the night mode. This feature reduces the red light filter thereby protecting the eyes from damaging blue light exposure.
• Correct Posture: Encourage and remind your child to sit upright with proper back support while using screens. Poor posture can add to eye strain and cause neck or shoulder discomfort.

Regular Eye Exams are Crucial

Parents’ concerns rise even if the symptoms are inconclusive. In that case, a routine eye check-up is a must. At our Robin Hall Opticians, we recommend routine eye examinations for children of every age. Your optometrist can recommend routine checkups to help minimise risks associated with screen time. Early detection of these issues can often allow us to provide effective treatment and guidance.

Our child-friendly practices ensure that kids feel most comfortable and cared for during their eye exams and treatments. We also offer lenses with blue light protection, specially designed for children who spend long hours on the screen.

Final Thoughts

Managing screen time isn’t about cutting out technology. It is about finding a healthy balance and making smart choices to safeguard your child’s health. Building small and consistent habits can make a big impact on your child’s life. How? Because they help in promoting healthy vision development.

Have questions? Book an appointment with Robin Hall Opticians today for a thorough eye check-up and personalised advice tailored to your child’s needs.