TAKE THE STRAIN OUT OF DIGITAL USE

Kids complaining of tired eyes or blurry vision during home learning? Specsavers optometrist Greeshma Patel gives her top five tips for tackling digital eye strain.

As many Australian parents are once again finding themselves in the unique position of coordinating their child’s online learning from home or even just homework, it is more important than ever to be aware of the ways you can help avoid or lessen the effects of your child developing digital eye strain. What many people may find surprising is that when it comes to eye health, the biggest problem with screen time is nothing to do with the actual screens.

It’s simply the fact that normally when kids are on phones and computers, it adds a significant demand on close vision, coupled with it being largely indoors without natural light. That’s the part that adds strain to eyes. So other near vision work indoors, like homework and reading can have a similar negative effect on the eye.

LOOK OUT FOR THESE SYMPTOMS:

Tired, sore, burning or itchy eyes; watery or overly dry eyes; headaches; trouble focusing on words/pictures on screen; increased sensitivity to light and; blurry or double vision.

So, what’s the solution?

The good news is that eye strain does not lead to any permanent damage to your child’s eyes although they are more at risk of the uncomfortable feeling of digital eye strain because their eyes are still developing. Staring at screens and being indoors for extended periods of time can however increase the risk of myopia or becoming shortsighted.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Remind your child to blink. This keeps the surface of your eyes from drying out.

2. Keep a bottle of water next to their computer or learning space.

3. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes remind your child to look at an object at least 20 metres away, for at least 20 seconds.

4. Screen adjustments. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your child’s screen to match the level of light around them.

5. Adjust their position at the computer. Your child should be sitting no closer than 60cm from the screen. Position the screen so their eyes gaze slightly downward, not straight ahead or up.