Knightdale, N.C. — Eye health experts warn that remote learning for your child can present vision concerns. That’s because it adds up to even more screen time on top of the hours they may spend on watching TV, gaming and on tablets and smart phones.
Many children, like adults, don’t just look at their digital devices. They stare. “Where we are so into what we’re doing, we don’t have time to take a natural, full blink,” said Dr. Timothy Poirier, an optometrist with the Eye Institute in Knightdale.
Poirier says, over time, partial blinking can cause more strain on eye muscles and contributes to a condition known as “computer syndrome.”
“When you’re doing it for just such a long time, fatigue occurs, which brings on headaches and eye strain and tired eyes and dry eyes,” said Poirier.
He says extended periods of staring at a screen don’t allow for glands in the eyes to function properly.
When children or adults look at video screens, Poirier recommends the “20-20-20” rule. That means every 20 minutes, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Poirier recommends annual vision checks for children who frequently use digital devices. An eye exam can help eye doctors recommend possible relief.
“So if we’re focusing up to 10 hours a day, using our eyes, we can use an anti-fatigue pair of glasses,” said Poirier.
He says “Relax Glasses” may help reduce eye strain and the long-term risks. That’s especially important for many children. Poirier says, “Children who are near-sighted now, we want to put a real big effort into them not becoming more near-sighted.”
He says there is not as much clinical data on a product called “Blue Light” glasses. They are intended to reduce the effect of “blue-light” on screens on the eyes. Poirer reports favorable feedback from patients who’ve chosen to try them.
“The science will catch up, and we’ll have the data, but it does look like we can filter away that blue light,” said Poirier. He adds, there is an easy way to know if a child’s vision needs attention. “If you feel your eyes, there’s something going on. I like to tell my patients all the time: You should see through your eyes, not feel your eyes.”