Too much screen time and gadget use can cause digital eye strain, which is an increasing concern among parents due to the shift to virtual learning in their children’s education. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce digital eye strain. You can follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, you should remind your child to take a break and look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
What about blue light glasses? Can they protect kids’ still-developing eyes from digital eye strain? The short answer is yes; blue light glasses can provide some form of protection. Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic, your trusted optometrist, explains in this blog post.
Blue light is visible light with shorter wavelengths. Every day, we’re exposed to the single, largest source of blue light on this planet: the sun. Tablets, smartphones, computers, and LED lights also emit blue light.
Can exposure to blue light damage your child’s vision? There currently is no evidence that blue light can damage your child’s vision. However, medical professionals are still not sure about the long-term effects of blue light on vision development because screens haven’t been a daily part of humans’ lives for that long. It’s only in the recent decade that the use of gadgets among children became so prevalent.
Limiting your kids’ screen time is the best way to reduce digital eye strain. But that’s harder to do when so many schools have shifted to a virtual learning environment, which is why a lot of parents are looking for alternative ways to reduce digital eye strain. One of these alternative methods is giving your child blue light glasses, which can reduce your kid’s exposure to blue-violet rays by 80 percent or more. For more tips on maintaining your child’s vision health in a virtual learning environment, consult your local optometrist.
Looking for eye doctors near you?
Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic is a trusted optometrist that offers a wide range of professional eye care services. To schedule an appointment, call us at (425) 771-8472 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Bothell, Lynnwood, and Shoreline as well as the surrounding WA communities.