EYE HEALTH
REVERSING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SCREENS ON CHILDREN’S EYES BY RENATA NANNETTI
Renata Nannetti is the owner of Sterling Optical located at 2626 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306
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t is no secret that technology is the new norm. People rely on their smartphones, tablets and computers to get through daily life more than ever before. With this modern-day way of life comes serious concerns about screen time, especially for children and their still-developing eyes. Now that most schools are remote, kids are staring at computers for hours every day. Here are some ways parents can reduce the strain on their kids’ eyes. Adjust monitor height and position. Screens should be at or lower than eye level. Your eyes should look slightly downward when viewing the middle of the screen. In addition, computers or tablets should always be positioned away from direct sunlight or
harsh light sources. This prevents glare and reduces bright light. Maintain distance. Position your child’s monitor at least 20 inches from the eyes, about an arm’s length distance. If the screen is larger, add more viewing distance. If possible, increase the text size so that your child can read easily while maintaining this distance. Keeping this distance prevents the need to squint and strain. Use the 20/20/20 rule. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, and focus on something at least 20 feet away once during the break. Breaks in between usage give your child’s eyes a necessary breather. Consider blue light glasses. If your child wears glasses, professional quality blue filtering lenses for glare
reduction allow the eyes to feel comfort in front of a screen. These are usually available either with or without a prescription. Adjust screen brightness. Like blue light lenses, adjusting the brightness and color on your screen makes a noticeable difference. Most tablets, computers, and smart phones come with a brightness setting called “Night Shift.” This setting adjusts the colors of your display, making the screen much easier on the eyes. When this setting is enabled you can feel the strain subside, making long hours in front of a screen tolerable. If your device does not offer brightness options, a blue light screen protector keeps children protected just as well. Moderation is key. Limiting screen time is extremely important. Children are already in front of the screen for hours as it is for schoolwork, so any additional screen time beyond that should be strictly limited. Setting a schedule for screen time gives the eyes -- and the mind – a break. Schedule regular checkups. Routine eye exams with an optometrist are vital to ensuring your child’s eyes are healthy and developing properly. In 2020, technology is something we cannot avoid. Although our devices make life a little easier, they cause concerns that require precautions. And although excessive screen time may have negative effects on young ones’ eyes, there are many things parents can do to prevent harmful strain on the eyes.
22 November 2020 • siparent.com
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