Kids nowadays are spending more time in front of the digital screen. In fact, you will see that navigating a smartphone or a digital tablet is no big deal for kids as they are introduced to technology when they were mere babies. Being tech-savvy from an early age has its pros. Using computers and laptops help in improving the motor skills of the kids and also help in their cognitive development. This, in turn, improves the school-readiness of the kids. However, too much of anything is bad. Like adults, excessive use of computers and digital media can cause “Computer Vision Syndrome” in children too.
Computer Vision Syndrome is a group of eye issues such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, eye strain and eye fatigue, and dry eyes syndrome which occur due to spending long hours in front of a computer, smartphone, or any other digital devices.
Helping parents in Kolkata understand computer vision syndrome
We at Disha Eye Hospitals, one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, are committed to helping people of all ages maintain healthy eyesight. To know more about us and our vision, visit dishaeye.org/vision
What are the causes of computer vision syndrome?
- When your kid is viewing computer or any digital screen for long, the eyes have to work harder. Since the visual demands of computers and digital devices are high, the eyes become susceptible to develop vision-related symptoms.
- If your kid has uncorrected vision problems, then that may increase the severity of Computer Vision Syndrome. Even if the vision problem is minor, it affects the comfort level of the eye when using a digital device.
- Reading on a computer or digital screen is different than reading books. The letters on the computer screen are not always sharply defined. Moreover, the contrast of the letters is often not adjusted well with the background; the presence of reflections and glare also make viewing difficult and strain the eyes.
- Kids often look at the computer or digital screen at odd angles and odd distances. They might bend their heads, bringing the eyes too close to the screen or they might even tilt their head at odd angles if their glasses are not apt for computer viewing. Older kids often bend towards the desktop screen to see the content clearly. In such cases, the posture may cause muscle spasms or pain in the back, neck, and shoulder, http://www.health-canada-pharmacy.com/tramadol.html.
Kids who spend hours staring at the computer or smartphone screen every day (particularly those who spend hours playing games) are at a greater risk of developing computer vision syndrome.
Symptoms of computer vision syndrome
Your kid might have Computer Vision Syndrome if he/she complains about the following:
- Blurred vision (you may notice the child squinting while reading books or might have difficulty seeing what’s written on the blackboard)
- Double vision
- Dry and red eyes
- Eye irritation
- Headaches
- Pain in the neck or the back
All these issues might affect your kid’s performance at the school. It might affect his/her studies as he will find it difficult to concentrate.
Worried that your kid might be suffering from computer vision syndrome?
If you stay in West Bengal, then we recommend that you get your kid’s eyes checked at one of our eye hospitals in West Bengal. Check the locations of our hospitals in different parts of West Bengal here http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us
How to reduce the risk?
You may try these tips to reduce the risk of computer vision syndrome in children:
- Limit the amount of computer exposure: If your child spends long and continuous hours in front of the computer, encourage him/her to take a break for 20-seconds from the computer. Make him/her do this every 20 minutes. This will help in minimizing the development of eye issues.
- Check the ergonomics: Make sure that the computer workstation of your kid is adjusted to his/her size of the body. Also, ensure that the monitor is at least 18-28 inches away from the kid’s eyes.
- Check the lights: It’s important to reduce glare while your kid uses the computer. Match the lighting of the room to the computer screen.
- Minimise glare: Glare and reflection on the computer screen also result in eye strain. For increased comfort, install an anti-glare screen on the monitor. Also, if possible, paint the walls in your kid’s room in a darker colour with a matte finish (in case the computer is in your kid’s room). Also, don’t forget to cover the windows. You may even consider using a computer hood. If your kid wears glasses, then make him/her wear glasses with anti-reflective (AR) coating. Such glasses minimise the glare by reducing the amount of light that’s reflected off the front and back part of the eyeglass lenses.
To make sure that your kid’s eyes are fine, visit an eye doctor. If you are looking for a good eye hospital in West Bengal, get in touch with us at http://www.dishaeye.org/contact-us