How is screen time bad for my kid’s eyes?

We all know that laptops, tablets, and phones are essential for learning. Research shows that this is beneficial for kids when balanced with other activities. Outdoor activities with exposure to sunlight in moderation is an important factor in preventing shortsightedness or myopia.

Spending too much time on screens can also impact a child’s physical and mental health wellbeing.

Children using a screen before aged 3 are more likely to develop myopia in Pre-school. At Young Eyes Janine and Catherine our optometrists recommend all children should be assessed by a suitably qualified behavioural optometrist in their preschool years.

Our Optometrists Janine and Catherine can recommend strategies to manage screen use to limit chances of myopia and behavioural issues in children.

Strategies to Manage Screen Use

• Maximum 2 hours a day screen time outside school and the learning environment.
• Not holding the device closer than the distance elbow to wrist on the child
• Short breaks to relax the eyes away from the device every 20minutes.

Our Optometrists can put in place strategies to both prevent and manage Myopia in your family.

A comprehensive behavioural eye test is essential in managing the risks. Children in this age need an assessment prior to school and again in the first year or two of their schooling.

Once myopia develops in children in deteriorates every few months. Myopia can reduce the quality of life in children, teenagers, and adults. It also poses a risk to eyesight in the longer term.

Please take the time to book your child in with one of our qualified behavioural optometrists soon so we can put in place strategies to improve your families eye health.