Back to School - Eye Health
Going back to school still looks a little different in 2021 as we continue to work together to slow the spread of Covid-19. The new school year may once again include more screen time and distance learning than years prior, which means many children will be using computers, tablets and other devices with greater frequency than they have in the past. Since eye care is an important part of your child’s overall health, now is a great time to schedule a check up and prepare for the potential impact that distance learning may have on your child’s vision.
When should my child see an eye doctor?
The American Optometric Association recommends scheduling a child’s first eye exam around six months of age. To help you find an infant eye specialist check out InfantSEE, a public health program that provides no-cost vision assessment for infants ages 6-12 months.
As your children grow up, vision screening is recommended at least every other year, although an annual check up certainly doesn’t hurt. In this article, Allison Babiuch, M.D. discusses the value of back-to-school vision screening, and signs to look for that indicate that your child may be struggling with their eye sight.
What type of eye doctor should my child see?
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia breaks down the different types of eye doctors a child may need to see. The article discusses well visits, as well as the types of specialists your child may be referred to if they have a vision problem and what to expect at these appointments.
How Can I Help Combat Eye Strain Caused by Increased Screen Time?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published guidelines for screen time usage at every age to help prevent computer vision syndrome (a group of vision related challenges that are directly correlated with prolonged engagement with tablets, phones, computers and television screens). But, with the need for increased use of electronic devices to facilitate education, recommended time allotments are being exceeded. Consider taking the following actions throughout your day to help reduce these challenges.
Consider proper screen placement, lighting, and your posture while working on an electronic device. Tips for creating a space and protecting your child’s eyes are available in this article from the Optometric Center for Family Vision and Care.
Encourage children to take frequent breaks from their screens and employ the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds.
Make a plan to balance the needs for increased screen time for educational purposes with non-digital leisure activities. This family media plan tool, brought to you by the American Academy of Pediatrics, can help get you started!
Encourage children to pause and do some eye yoga exercises for 1-3 minutes out of every hour.
Don’t forget about extra-curricular activities!
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness among children in the United States, and the majority of these injuries occur while kids are playing sports. Check out their recommendations on when to use protective eyewear and suggestions for the best types of eye protection.
In the State of Ohio, a program called Superspecs provides free protective eyewear to children while they are playing sports or participating in vocational programs. When kids know they won’t get hurt, they can focus on sharpening their skills on the field and in the classroom!
Take a break!
Now that you’ve read through all of these great vision saving resources, take a moment to employ the 20-20-20 rule, and take 20 seconds to look 20 feet away from your screen!