DIGITAL EYE STRAIN ON KIDS

Digital eye strain on kids has become a serious issue in recent years, with improvements in technology, we have come a long way from just reading from paper and stone to now reading from our handheld devices. This has caused an increase in the number of students complaining about fatigue in their eyes and headaches, which is a direct effect on the growth of the students.

What is Digital Eye Strain?

Digital Eye Strain, otherwise known as Digital Eye Fatigue, is a condition that is commonly caused by prolonged periods of looking at your digital devices. It can affect your vision, cause headaches, and even disrupt sleeping patterns. The increasing popularity of smartphones, tablets, and laptops have contributed to the problem. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic arises, many schools have gone virtually and so, children spend a lot of time in front of screens each day. 

Symptoms

A recent study shows that children can exhibit the following symptoms after being exposed to 2 or more hours of digital screen time:

• Watery or dry eyes
• Headaches
• Eye Discomfort
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Blurred vision
• Light Sensitivity

What is Blue Light and How is it Causing Digital Eye Strain?

Blue light has been found to be one of the main causes of digital eye strain.  It is a type of light that has the shortest wavelength and high energy that can be emitted from devices such as televisions, computers, and mobile phones. 

What Can You Do to Reduce Digital Eye Strain on Your Kids?

One way that you can protect your children’s eyes from digital eye strain is to wear blue light blocking glasses. Blue light is a spectrum of visible light that is emitted from screens, so this is an easy way to avoid exposing kids to too much blue light. Anti blue light glasses for kids can protect their eyes, and since the glasses are designed for this purpose, you can feel comfortable letting them wear them. 

You can also encourage your children to participate in physical activities outdoors, limit how much time they spend on their devices, and reduce the brightness on their screens. It’s important for both you and your children to be aware of how much time you spend on your devices. 

By incorporating physical activities and taking breaks, you and your children will be healthier and more aware of what’s happening around you.