5 Ways to Reduce Digital Eye Strain for Children
LCD and LED computer and television screens, smartphones and tablets all emit blue light. As the quality of such screens improves continuously, their blue light emission is increasing. Although blue light in itself is a natural phenomenon – it is present in daylight and helps us to stay awake – excessive amounts can have an adverse effect and cause eye strain and fatigue.
With the increase in children using their digital devices more than two hours a day at home and at school, it’s no surprise that there is an increase of digital eye strain symptom which include tired eyes, headaches, dry eyes, eye irritation (itchy and burning) and blurred vision. Spending a large amount of time looking at digital screens (or any near object) means their eyes are constantly exerting more effort to focus. Put simply, their eyes are working harder, causing strain.
Your children may also even experience neck or back pain, through stress placed on their cervical spine, if they are spending long periods unconsciously bent forward looking at a screen.
Here are five tips that could help your children:
1. Take a break – Remind your children to use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
2. Blink frequently – Remind your children to blink frequently. Research shows that when using screens, we blink far less often than in other situations. Staring at computer screens can dry our eyes and cause redness and irritation.
3. Check your child’s workstation set up - The best way to set up your computer is to have the screen about 50 to 70 centimetres away from your eyes -- or about an arm’s length.It’s also best to look slightly downward at your screen, as that will allow the eyelid to cover at least a portion of the eye and keep it moist. Ideally, the centre of the screen should be 20 degrees below eye level, or about 10 centimetres down.
Make sure there are no reflections or glare on your screen, and adjust the brightness of your screens to be similar to the brightness of the room. As a test, if the white background of this webpage looks like a light source, it's probably too bright.
Also make sure your child’s digital screens and eyeglasses are clean so that he/she doesn't have to strain to see the screen clearly.
4.Go for regular eye exams - If your child is noticing a lot of headaches, it could be a sign that he/she have other vision problems. It’s possible, for example, that new glasses or a new prescription is needed. Or it could be a sign of a more serious vision problem, so it’s recommended that your child gets their eyes checked every two years, at least, in order to spot problems early.
5.Special lenses for digital use– special prescription lenses are available with a coating that reduces the amount blue light entering the eye, preventing eye strain and fatigue and also reduces glare for more comfortable and relaxed vision. Ask us more about our range of special digital lenses.
New Lottery, New Home
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Papamoa, worth just over $1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it! Get your tickets today.
The perfect treat this Mother's Day
This Mother's Day treat yourself or a loved one with the ultimate Sunday self-care gift.
Purchase a discounted subscription to Sunday Star-Times before 12 May, and receive a FREE Antipodes Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum worth $56*. Find out more below.
Gifting a subscription? Add a personalised e-card to your order to make your gift even more special. Offer ends next week so don’t miss out! T&Cs apply, promo code must be applied.
One Good Kiwi - Nuturing Families
kia ora lovely neighbours
I finally worked out how One Good Kiwi works - onegoodkiwi.one.nz...
"We like to think of One Good Kiwi as a digital koha
that can only be spent on others"
similar to Z's 'good in the 'hood' - you get FREE tokens to donate to a charity of your choice ... FREE to sign up, FREE tokens - you get to choose what charity or charities you would like to support... a real win-win-win (win-win-win...)
me, I spent most of my FREE credits this month on Nurturing Families - a local charity - based in Henderson
Nurturing Families (re-branded from Mummies in Need in 2023) - set up by a lovely young woman (oh! when she was 12, wow -!) - that helps - well families in need
this is from their website: nurturingfamilies.nz...
"Nurturing Families acts as a crisis support agency to help with material aid when a child or baby is at risk or suffering. We primarily work through agency requests so you will need to get in touch with a/your midwife, Plunket nurse, support worker, social worker or case worker and ask them to email a referral after assessing your need."
"We work closely alongside organisations such as the NZ police, Work and Income, Family Success Matters, Family Start, Midwives, and many independent schools, midwives and social workers to provide those in hardship with the basic essentials."
westies making waves of positive change again - awesome !!!!
one of the options this month on One Good Kiwi - to donate FREE credits to them - ALL great charities
so you can HELP them that way
and/or...
if you have some spare time, even an hour or so a week, a fortnight - maybe consider giving them a hand - every time I drop some things off they are so so busy - they really could do with a few more volunteers
it's a handy location - 6/42 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, only parking is tricky, advise parking on the street - Hours: 9-2 pm Monday-Thursday
and with the greatest of love & respect - SHOW up if you do want to lend a hand (that is my message, from me - I emailed them, no response - TOO BUSY to respond)
arohanui